It’s time to grab something extra when you start your Christmas shopping to help people in the Hawkesbury who won’t be able to afford anything for their families.
Organised again by Richmond Rotary, the wishing tree goes up in the Gazette foyer on Friday afternoon, November 18 to give you plenty of time to remember others.
Either bring a gift in and match it to a tag or grab a tag first and buy for that person. All tags will come from Vinnies, Salvos and Hawkesbury Christian Centre at South Windsor, representing actual families and individuals that they know will need some help this Christmas.
There will also be plenty of other locations in the Hawkesbury to drop your contribution. They will be at Coles at Richmond Mall, Fairfax on the hill at North Richmond, Council Chambers, both Richmond and Windsor libraries, Jet Drycleaners in Richmond, Windsor Bowling Club and Richmond Club.
“I collect them and drop them off at the three organisations,” Richmond Rotary president Barry Adams said.
The generosity of Hawkesbury residents has been growing year on year. While 2009 was a big year with 720 presents, which equated to 17 carloads, last year Mr Adams said they got 913 presents, and this only just covered the number of tags. This year he hopes they crack the 1000 mark.
Ages of those in need can range from six months to 80. You can donate right up to Christmas eve, but the sooner the better to allow for distribution time.
Last year presents for teenage boys were particularly asked for as they hadn’t been as represented in gifts given. Think T-shirts, iTunes cards, ear buds, surf wallets, aviator sunglasses, board shorts, men’s toiletries or DVDs. Some of these would also be fine for older males.
“I’d like to thank the Hawkesbury people for their previous generosity and hope that this year we can help as many, or more this year,” Mr Adams said.
Please only supply new items, wrapped in paper or in a gift bag. For enquiries contact 0437 875 583.
