Tamworth Salvation Army to throw a snag on the barbeque at community Christmas celebration

Major Tony DeTommaso said that the Army had received gifts from St Mary's preschool, Oxley High School and more.

Some donations are anonymous.

"We even had a family turn up the other day, brought their kids with them," he said.

Want more local news? Subscribe to the Leader to read it here first

"They had bought toys out of their own pocket money. The family just wanted to show their young children - they were all under 11 - this is one way you can help out around Christmas. It was beautiful."

The new captain and his wife Yan initiated a new program to make sure the charity goes to the truly worthy.

"If they've got children they apply, they fill in a form, and then we just check out and see if they are suitable for us to help," Major DeTommaso said.

"We did put a criteria on it this year in that we would like you to come attend some seminars on living skills around finances. We actually narrowed it down to people who want to make an effort, not just coming in and collecting the toys.

"That's actually dropped down the number of people that have actually said oh maybe I don' need help. We sort of challenge people in taking more of a responsibility this year."

READ MORE:

The sessions are designed to help people make sure people don't find themselves in financial trouble in the first place.

"I like to think of it as a hand up rather than a hand out," he said.

"I've been in places in the past where it's just been come on in, you need help we just dish it all out. That's one way. This way it's more holistic."

On Friday, Bruce McCorkell handed over a donation from the Rotary Club of Tamworth.

Every year members are encouraged to bring Christmas presents to be passed on to the Salvos for the army's Christmas appeal, he said.

"It's a tradition that I think has gone back almost to the start of the rotary club, back in the 30s," he said.

The Salvation Army is also holding a free community barbeque in the days before Christmas.

The sausage sizzle will kick off on December 19 at 5.30pm at the Salvos church at 328 Goonoo Goonoo Road.

Captain DeTommaso said the community event mean many single people wouldn't be alone at Christmas time.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: