Each year St Vincent de Paul delivers Christmas hampers to people in need as part of their annual Christmas appeal.

As a contribution to the appeal Dubbo TAFE staff have donated toys to the cause.

The hand over from under the Christmas tree in the TAFE library to St Vincent de Paul workers happened yesterday. The hampers, together with the toys, will start making their way to people’s homes today.

Pat Yeo from St Vincent de Paul said the TAFE’s initiative showed the true spirit of Christmas.

“It was good of these people to do something like this,” Mr Yeo said.

“It is a very generous idea as there are a lot of needy people out there.

“Appeals such as this are important to give people a lift on Christmas Day.”

For many, the extra financial burden of Christmas is almost impossible to cope with.

Some families will have a problem even putting food on the table as they deal with the stress about the decisions they have to make such as paying the rent, or buying presents for their children.

St Vincent de Paul’s appeal in Dubbo has involved school children and parishioners of the Catholic Church.

Mr Yeo estimated that there were as many as 100 hampers to distribute.

“We deliver the hampers to people who come to visit us in the welfare arm in a combined effort with St Brigid’s Parish,” he said.

“I understand the presents from the TAFE will be wrapped in certain age groups so that we will be able to distribute the toys appropriately with the hampers.”

TAFE campus administrator Tony Martin said the TAFE decided it would get involved as part of its commitment to help charities.

“We like to get involved in fundraising and help out where we can,” Mr Martin said.

“We have done things like Pink Ribbon and Red Nose Day and thought St Vincent de Paul’s appeal would be a good one to be involved in for this time of year.”

bill.north@ruralpress.com