More than 300 Dubbo residents and families are expected to have a happier Christmas thanks to the generosity of local businesses like Ray White, community groups and government agencies.
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Donated hampers and new kids toys will be distributed by Vinnies volunteers next month to Dubbo families in need.
Ray White is among the Dubbo businesses leading by example when it comes to corporate social responsibility by increasing its support for Vinnies and residents struggling to make ends meet.
For the first time in its history, Ray White will stop sending Christmas cards out this year. The money the business would have spent on cards will instead be redirected to its 'Little Ray of giving' appeal which benefits Vinnies.
As part of the annual appeal, the business is again encouraging local residents to consider kids who might have to go without gifts.
"We'd love people to drop an unwrapped new Christmas present in, we'll wrap them up, put a tag on them with sex and age and the Vinnies volunteers will pick them up," Debra Murphy from Ray White said.
The donated kids gifts, which will sit under a tree in the Ray White office, will be distributed to Dubbo families.
Mrs Murphy said 2019 was the fifth year Ray White and generous locals joined forces to support Vinnies and the people the organisation assisted.
"It's just getting bigger and bigger," she said.
"When we first started we only had a few presents and now it's getting bigger so it's good."
The initiative is an easy way make a big difference in the lives of people struggling at an expensive time of the year, Cindy Pettit from Ray White said.
"It's a really simple way to put a smile on the face of someone who might otherwise go without this Christmas," Mrs Pettit said.
Vinnies coordinator Dan Sullivan said the toys and hampers the charity sent out went to grateful recipients.
"This time some farmers will be receiving hampers," Mr Sullivan said.
"I was interviewing a domestic violence service which we supply hampers to, I was told one of the mothers was taken out for lunch and she broke down and cried."
Anyone interested in donating a new gift can take it to the Ray White office at 22 Talbragar Street in Dubbo or call 6884 1555 for more details.
