The Dubbo community is being encouraged to spread the joy this festive season by donating to the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Appeal and help those in need.
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Christmas is the busiest time of year for the Salvos, with the Dubbo Salvation Army preparing to provide over 100 hampers for families doing it tough.
Dubbo Salvation Army officer, Captain David Sutcliffe said the team will prepare over 100 food and toy hampers this year for families in need.
“From here we’re probably looking to putting together 150 hampers,” he said.
The hampers will include toys, dry food, gift vouchers and more.
Cpt Sutcliffe encouraged people to think of the entire family when donating.
“Particularity gifts for teenage children. Everyone wants to buy the cute, fluffy toys for young kids, and often teenagers are left out,” he said.
“Gift vouchers are great (for teens). And parents are often forgotten as well so we try and do something for them.”
He said Christmas is supposed to be a happy time but often for people we deal with it can often be a sad and difficult time.
“There’s a lot of social expectation about what we do at Christmas and a lot of that is expensive.. we’re helping people that struggle week to week to put food on the table yet alone be able to have a celebration at Christmas time,” Cpt Sutcliffe said.
“So we do what we can to help to make this a time of joy and hope for them.”
Cpt Sutcliffe said it’s been a tough year for everyone as people are have to deal with the rising cost of living.
“We’ve had a massive run of people needing assistance with power and gas bills,” he said.
“We’re just trying to find a bit of joy for people who have had a tough year. There’s been little joy perhaps for them all year so this is the chance for them to have some joy in their life and kick start into the new year on a positive.”
Donations can also be made to participating businesses in Dubbo, including Newcastle Permant, HIT FM, along with the Ulysses Club, Holcim and Golden West Holden.
Dubbo residents should also be on the lookout for Salvation Army members at shopping centres in the first two weeks of December as they will be setting up collection points for people to come and donate financially.
“We’ll use those funds to buy toys and food,” Cpt Sutcliffe said.
Donations of new quality toys and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Dubbo Salvation Army, 110 Gipps Street, between Monday, Wednesday and Friday (9:30am – 1:00pm) or to the Family Store on Cobborah Road Monday to Friday.
To find out more on what The Salvation Army is doing at Christmas across the country, go to salvos.org.au
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
