THE Mount Gambier Mayor’s Christmas Appeal helped take the pressure off the festive season for a number of families with a $25,000 donation to ac.care.
The donation made a meaningful impact to the support provided to over 250 applicants over the festive period which included food, vouchers and gifts.
Ac.care Christmas Cheer coordinator Deanne Swift said Christmas could be a difficult period for families which struggle on a daily basis to provide the most basic needs for their children.
“This additional support helps to ease the pressures experienced by these households,” Ms Swift said.
“We handed out over 150 bags of toys and had all staff on board, running around trying to help anyone who came in.
“Everyone was just so grateful and we saw a lot of tears and gave a lot of hugs.”
Ms Swift thanked the community for donating to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal or directly to ac.care, claiming it really helped.
“Every dollar went out to the community to help those who needed our assistance this year,” she said.
Among those to receive support from the Christmas Cheer initiative were Rob and Jo, who were looking forward to Christmas celebrations with their extended family.
“We have a blended family so we celebrate Christmas over two days with children and grandchildren,” Rob said.
“That’s two Christmas dinners and two Christmas lunches so this extra support helps us a lot with buying groceries,” he said.
Jo said the inclusion of toys, biscuits and other items would help add to the special time.
“We have all the main gifts and food sorted but now we have some stocking fillers to help out, plus the vouchers will help get us through the few weeks over Christmas,” she said.
“This definitely makes Christmas so much easier for us.
“We are so grateful, they’re wonderful down here (at the community centre).”
