Residents of Tamworth have donated an "absolutely stunning" 800 gifts to the Salvation Army Giving Tree.
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The charitable donation is "a considerable increase on last year", according to Tamworth Kmart staff.
Tamworth Salvation Army Captain Harriet Farquhar said all the gifts would go to provide parents and children with a dignified Christmas.
"These numbers are absolutely stunning. We couldn't have done this without the support of the local community and Kmart," she said.
"The fact that the Tamworth community has been able to dig deep in this year of all years reminds me of what a great community spirit Tamworth residents have."
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Kmart staff reported local residents had donated about 90 gifts a week since the Salvation Army appeal began in October.
It was the earliest the Giving Tree appeal has kicked off in its 33-year history.
Captain Farquhar said the army takes a "step of faith" every year, promising to families they will provide holiday help. But they never really know if the community will respond.
"Without the wishing tree program we wouldn't be able to give toys away at Christmas time. This would be our main source of toys at Christmas," she said.
The army has also seen a different class of people looking for help in 2020, she said.
Some of their long-term customers have not needed help thanks to a boost to Newstart and other support payments earlier this year.
But laid-off middle class families struggling with the economic consequences of the pandemic have replaced them, she said.
The influx of aid will arm the Salvation Army with the tools to help.
"I think people have recognised that lots of different people are doing it tough and they're responding to the need they know exists in the community," Captain Farquhar said.
About half the presents collected through the appeal are collected by smaller community groups and businesses.
Captain Farquhar said Transwest fuels, Newcastle Permanent, Walcha Chiropractic, Oxley and Tamworth High Schools and St Mary's Pre-school were just some of the biggest supporters in 2020.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
