ANGLICARE helps bring Christmas cheer to the poor and needy
In partnership with parishes, businesses, schools, politicians and youth groups, ANGLICARE spent the month leading up to Christmas 2008 collecting and packing toys and Christmas food in aid of the annual Toys ‘n’ Tucker appeal.
The ANGLICARE Toys ‘n’ Tucker appeal helps bring Christmas cheer to thousands of struggling families.
In total ANGLICARE had 149 churches, 38 businesses, 114 school’s, 18 politicians, and 16 youth groups register to participate in 2008’s Toys ‘n’ Tucker appeal.
ANGLICARE’s Marketing Services Manager, Mrs Chris Mahoney, says the food and toy donations made by the community were fantastic.
“It's great to have so many organisations keen to support ANGLICARE's work through Toys 'n' Tucker. We know from talking to our contacts at parishes, schools, youth groups and businesses that people have a real heart to give at Christmas and this is reflected in the quality and quantity of food and gifts we've received this year.”
Some big name businesses that came on board included Toyota and Electrolux. Also of the 149 parishes that took part in this years appeal, 30 ventured out into their community to collect goods and connect with locals.
Minister of Stanhope Anglican Church, Steve Reimer, says the partnerships they developed with the local shopping centre and schools helped to make the community aware of the Church.
“When manning the collection boxes we spoke to a lot of community members, who now know about our Church – Setting up in the local shop for two weeks provided great awareness for a church with no home, instead meeting on a Sunday in a leisure centre.
“We had a lot of positive feedback from the local shoppers - one lady asked me why we couldn’t be there all the time, all year round, so she could support our cause.”
Every year ANGLICARE’S Emergency Relief program provides financial support and food assistance to an estimated 20,000 families and individuals who are finding it difficult to make ends meet. It will be these people who receive the blessing of the Toys ‘n’ Tucker campaign.
ANGLICARE’s Christmas Hamper Volunteer Coordinator, Ms Felicia Fitzgerald, says the commitment and kindness of all the Toys ‘n’ Tucker volunteers has helped show that people do care for those less fortunate than themselves.
“The volunteers are amazing because they find what they do rewarding, it is hard work, but rewarding. They all work really hard in good faith that the people in need will receive these hampers. All our wonderful volunteers give up their time because they truly believe in what we do to help those in need.”
ANGLICARE Sydney hoped to individually pack and deliver over 5000 Christmas hampers in the Sydney, Illawarra, Shoalhaven, South Coast and upper Blue Mountains areas over Christmas 2008. The Appeal resulted in up to 6000 gift hampers and over 1000 food hampers being delivered to needy families.
