Donations to the Mount Gambier Community Mayor’s Christmas Appeal are rolling in, with the total sitting at just over $30,000.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin is pleased by the response of local people who are considering those who may be struggling this festive season.
“I am always humbled by the generosity of our supportive community.
This year is particularly difficult for many people with the escalating cost of living,” she said.
“It really is wonderful to know that people continue to consider others during this special time of year.”
All funds raised as part of the appeal are distributed to local support agencies including Uniting Care, ac.care, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army to provide food hampers, vouchers and gifts through the Christmas Cheer program.
“I thank the agencies for the important role they play in delivering the program,” Mayor Martin said.
Young helpers assisted St Vincent de Paul volunteers in packing the toys and hampers ready for delivery to local families with children who had registered for assistance this festive season this week.
“Our team of volunteers has assembled 33 toy boxes, each valued at up to $120, benefiting around 97 children collectively.
In addition to these generous contributions, we have also prepared 112 food hampers for distribution later this week,” St Vincent de Paul representative John D’Souza said.
Six Mount Gambier Men’s Shed members spent hundreds of hours this year crafting 130 handmade wooden toys to donate to the 2023 Mount Gambier Community Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.
“Over the past seven years the volunteers at the Men’s Shed have made 1000 toys for children in our community,” Men’s Shed volunteer Peter Heness said.
“We love doing this to make sure that our local kids receive gifts at Christmas.”
Mayor Martin thanked the Men’s Shed for their ongoing contribution to the appeal.
“The Men’s Shed is so dedicated with the work they put into these toys each year and I am grateful for their ongoing support to ensure local children have a happy Christmas,” Mayor Martin said.
Donations can be made through the following channels:
Call Council on (08) 8721 2555 with your credit card details on hand. Council staff will email you a tax invoice.
In person at the City of Mount Gambier customer service counter – Civic Centre, 10 Watson Terrace.
Send a cheque made out to ‘City of Mount Gambier’ PO Box 56 Mount Gambier SA 5290 with advice the cheque is a donation to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.
Tins and a ‘tap and go’ EFTPOS are also available at local businesses.
