Soft animals to hold close are on their way to some Dubbo children with a hope they’ll bring a little Christmas joy.
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The cuddly creatures were among a collection of new toys, books and games donated for a charity to give to young people.
Day after day in the past month they were brought in by Department of Family and Community Services workers until they occupied an entire corner of the office.
About 50 staff members made contributions, encouraged and prodded by colleague Kellie Taylor-Skrzypnik.
“I think every little kid deserves to get something for Christmas,” Ms Taylor-Skrzypnik said.
She and department client services manager at Dubbo Julianne Carroll surveyed the gifts for all ages “from little to big” before they were collected for distribution.
Ms Carroll said they had a similar drive 12 months ago, and this year it was “bigger and better”.
“People have been extremely enthusiastic,” she said.
“We’ve definitely topped last year.
“This is going to be a yearly tradition.”
The mix of presents had also proved a source of inspiration and ideas for the office members in thinking of presents for their own families, the manager said.
The toys were donated to Star FM’s I Believe In Christmas Toy Drive, a campaign to support the Salvation Army.