Gunnedah Salvation Army has kicked off its annual Christmas appeal and Bless a Family initiative.
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Every year, the Salvos distributes food hampers and hundreds of toys to families in need in time for Christmas, and Captain Day and Major Gaye Day said every year there is a call for to help more and more families.
Bless a Family was introduced by the Days in 2016 and allows Gunnedah residents to bless an entire family with gifts. In 2016, the Days started out with 10 families on the list and this year there are 20 (see full list at bottom of article). Gunnedah Shire Council is running an Adopt a Farming Family appeal alongside the Salvos’ initiative.
Among those supporting the Salvos’ food and toy appeal are Gunnedah Shire Council and Ray White Fleming and Ross.
The council and Ray White are drop-off points for non-perishable food items and toys. Residents can simply place unwrapped toys or non-perishable food items under one of the Christmas trees in their offices.
The library is also once again running its Food for Fine initiative. Library members can donate a non-perishable food item to the value of any library fine they may have accumulated.
Gunnedah shire mayor Jamie Chaffey said the council’s Christmas Tree Toy and Food Appeal initiative was now in its fourth year and has provided hope to many in that time.
“Each year we receive more and more items, proving once again what an extremely compassionate and generous community we have,” Cr Chaffey said.
“The appeal provides a great way for all of us to reach out and help others, at what is such a special time of year. This year we have decided to also encourage local residents to support our farming families who are going through tough times.”
In a year that has been particularly difficult with the drought, Cr Chaffey said the Salvation Army was a beacon of help to many.
“The appeal will complement the wonderful work of the Salvation Army and other local emergency relief and support services during what is their busiest time of the year, and even more so now resources are stretched from drought-affected families,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to get involved, however they can, and support those in need this Christmas.”
For health and hygiene reasons, pre-loved toys cannot be accepted and only in-date canned and/or non-perishable food items are encouraged for donation. The final drop-off date for the council will be December 14.
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For more information or to register to Adopt a Farming Family through the council, contact Debra Hilton on 6740 2100 or emailcouncil@infogunnedah.com.au
To get involved in the Salvos’ Bless a Family initiative, check out the list below:
- Family 1: Female adult, male adult, girl 8yo
- Family 2: Female adult, male adult, boy 14yo, boy 10yo, boy 5yo, girl 1yo
- Family 3: Female adult, male adult, girl 11yo, girl 9yo, girl 6yo
- Family 4: Female adult, male adult, girl 16yo, girl 8yo, boy 7yo, boy 6 yo
- Family 5: Female adult, male adult, girl 6yo
- Family 6: Female adult, male adult
- Family 7: Male adult
- Family 8: Female adult
- Family 9: Female adult, male adult, boy 15yo, girl 13yo, boy 11yo, boy 10yo
- Family 10: Female adult, male adult, boy 6yo, boy 2yo, newborn girl
- Family 11: Female adult, male adult, girl 6yo
- Family 12: Female adult, male adult, boy 5yo, boy 4yo
- Family 13: Female adult, male adult, boy 7yo, girl 5yo
- Family 14: Female adult, male adult, boy 10yo, boy 5yo, boy 4yo
- Family 15: Female adult, male adult, girl 9yo, girl 3yo
- Family 16: Female adult, girl 11yo, boy 9yo, boy 7yo, boy 5yo
- Family 17: Female adult, male adult
- Family 18: Female adult, male adult, girl 17yo, boy 15yo, girl 14yo
- Family 19: Female adult, male adult, boy 2yo
- Family 20: Female adult, male adult, girl 2yo
To Bless a Family, call Gaye Day on 0407 034 604.
