Selfless volunteer 'gives back' at Christmas
For the past 12 years, Thelma Worldon has been a volunteer with the Inala Salvation Army in Brisbane, packing and distributing toy and food hampers for families who are in need at Christmas.
“I just like to help because Jesus first helped me through the love and care of the Salvos at Inala Salvation Army,” she says. “I want to be able to give back and in turn help others in our community and give them hope.”
Thelma, 86, volunteers all-year round, five days a week, for the Salvos. She is a regular at local shopping centres and train stations, collecting donations and spreading the love of Jesus.
“I have collected for the Salvos, and still do at our local shopping centre, local pubs, and also at train stations in Brisbane for many years, and I love it,” she says. “I also volunteer at our ‘Breakfast Connections’ that we do every Sunday where we provide a good hearty breakfast, good conversation, good friendships and, of course, the love of Jesus.
“I’ve got so much, and I want to pay back all the things that God has given to me.”
It is estimated that The Salvation Army will help more then 70,000 Australian households this Christmas. Thelma says Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Inala Salvation Army, but it’s also hugely rewarding. “I love the festival season about the birth of Jesus and about the carols and the giving gifts and helping people.
“They’re thrilled,” she says of those who come to receive donated Christmas gifts for their children and loved ones, as well as overflowing hampers of food. “The smiles on their faces … they’re so thrilled to get them, they really are.”
This Christmas, help give hope where it's needed most. For more stories like this, and to get involved, head to salvos.org.au/Christmas.
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