Chatswood centre putting cheer back into Christmas for needy Australians
Christmas volunteers Merv and Pamela Simmons. (Photo courtesy of Chatswood Salvation Army)
A big part of Christmas for most Australians is about being with family. Every year, The Salvation Army on Sydney’s North Shore aims to give people in the community who may be lonely or disadvantaged the opportunity to share in the joy of Christmas.
North Shore retirees Merv and Pamela Simmons donate two-to-three weeks of their time each December, helping with the Christmas Cheer Centre that is set up at Chatswood Salvation Army.
“Every year we say this is the last year, but we are doing it again this year!” says Merv. “There is a need and we want to be part of helping give to that need. Christmas, especially, is an extension of that and a time to show concern for others.”
For the last 10 years, Merv and Pamela, with a team of others, sort through donations and carefully place gifts and toys in the right place in the makeshift shop.
“A toy truck isn’t going to be suitable for a 14-year-old girl so the toys are placed on shelves according to age and genre,” says Merv.
Once the Christmas Cheer Centre is set up, clients arrive to choose presents for their children – gifts they cannot afford to purchase themselves. Pamela and Merv are there to support them and make sure everyone receives a Christmas hamper filled with food and special treats that most families doing it tough wouldn’t ordinarily be able to buy.
For Pamela and Merv, Christmas is family. “We’ve always made Christmas special in our family and part of that is giving to our community so that anyone, even if they are alone, can feel part of something at Christmas time.”
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.