Christmas celebrations this weekend will be a little brighter for those in need across Millicent and district due to the generosity of others.

Supporters of the Mayoral Christmas Appeal recently gathered at the Millicent Community Learning Centre to prepare hampers and toys for distribution to vulnerable individuals and families who are struggling to pay the bills.

It is the first time the annual appeal has been conducted under the auspices of Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll.

Each year for the previous three decades, the Millicent Combined Churches Christmas Appeal had raised several thousand dollars to provide the hampers and toys.

Due to declining numbers, this committee relinquished the role a year ago to Mayor Noll and his supporters.

Nevertheless, some members of the outgoing committee again volunteered to support the Mayor.

As before, the recipients of toys and hampers had been referred to the new mayoral committee by various agencies.

The 2021 Millicent appeal will support more than 150 families in need of some help over the Christmas season and this number is in line with past years.

The hampers contain food and household items as well as some treats and vouchers.

The value of the family hampers is $150 while dozens of new toys have been either purchased or donated.

Cash contributions have come from varios sources while local people have also given non-perishable goods and toys through collection boxes placed in the local supermarkets, shops and schools.

The attention of the Mayoral Christmas Appeal Committee now turns to Christmas Day on Saturday when members will serve a free community lunch at the Millicent RSL Hall.