General News
18 October, 2023
Donations to spread Christmas spirit
SOUTH west residents have made generous donations to ensure children living in poverty have something to open this Christmas.
SOUTH west residents have made generous donations to ensure children living in poverty have something to open this Christmas.
Members of the All Saints Anglican Church in Terang were hard at work over the weekend, filling shoeboxes with donated gifts to be sent to underprivileged children overseas.
The boxes were filled to the brim with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, clothing, brushes, bags and more.
Donations came from far and wide including Terang, Mortlake, Noorat, Cobden, Timboon, Camperdown and Warrnambool.
Father Matthew Jones said he was pleased to know children wouldn’t miss out as he still had a vivid recollection of opening Christmas presents as a child.
“The community support makes it possible to have so much for the kids,” he said.
“I remember when I was a child Christmas morning was just so exciting to wake up and know there would be Christmas presents around the bed.
“It’s tragic to know there are children who will wake up to no presents, so these boxes full of surprises will be so exciting for these kids.
“It will make their Christmas.”
The donations were made as part of the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child appeal.
Last year more than 10 million shoeboxes were packed and distributed to children throughout more than 100 countries, including boxes from the south west being distributed to children in the Philippines.
Terang’s Julie Pomeroy, who was among those volunteering their time to pack boxes on Saturday, said she had been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.
“We received a $3000 donation from the Terang Community Op-shop to cover the shipping and positing of the boxes,” she said.
“It was an incredibly generous gesture, they’ve been a strong supporter of this initiative.
“So many people have donated goods, time and money for the boxes to reach these children in poorer countries.
“A big thank you to all who contribute in any way for these children to receive a special gift.”