The Salvation Army and Newcastle Permanent are calling on residents to share the festive spirit with someone in need by donating a gift to the Salvos annual Christmas Toy Drive Appeal.
With many job and income losses due to COVID-19, the two organisations expect there will be more children who, without the help of the Salvos, won’t have a present to open this year.
“A surprise gift under the Christmas tree will bring a smile to a young person as well as to a parent or carer who is unable to afford them,” local Salvation Army auxiliary lieutenant Tracy Iles said.
“Last year the Salvos gave 26,000 presents and toys to families in need of a hand.
“And, we’re ambitiously looking to help more in 2021.
“If you are able, please add a Salvos toy drive gift to your Christmas shopping list and drop it in to a Newcastle Permanent branch.
“We’re very grateful to Newcastle Permanent and its staff for helping us for a 33rd year.”
Last Christmas, Newcastle mum Sara Goodridge was facing the prospect of not having a present for her six-year-old son Jace.
With mounting bills, the expense of having to move house, and her youngster’s birthday just prior, she had nothing left for Christmas.
She said she felt overwhelmingly relieved when the Salvos arrived with a food card, as well as a toy toolkit and book for Jace.
“If it wasn’t for the Salvos, I wouldn’t have had a Christmas with my son,” Ms Goodridge explained.
“To see his eyes light up and his big smile as he opened his presents made for a special Christmas.”
Newcastle Permanent CEO Bernadette Inglis was the first to donate to this year’s Christmas Toy Drive Appeal, putting her gift under the tree at Newcastle Permanent’s head office.
“As a parent, I know the joy of your child receiving a gift on Christmas morning,” she said.
“In our many years of partnership with the Salvation Army, we’ve been humbled to help thousands of local families experience that joy, with presents under trees that otherwise may have been bare.
“We’re encouraging our people to donate and they’ll also be volunteering to help the Salvos to sort and distribute the gifts.”
Gifts such as toys, clothing, books, sporting equipment, games, beauty products and fashion accessories should be new and unwrapped.
Donations can be made at any Newcastle Permanent branch until Monday 20 December.
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