Children are learning the true gift of giving this Christmas in the Central Coast, with the region’s five Y NSW Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) services banding together to donate to four worthy local causes.
Staff from Wamberal, Kincumber, Ettalong, Brooke Ave and Lisarow OSHC services joined forces to compile seven food hampers for the Coast Community Shelter, 31 bags for the Bunnings Share the Dignity Drive, 39 gift bags for sick and injured children at Gosford Public Hospital and hundreds of bottle caps and bread tags for Gosford Private Hospital to use to create prosthetic limbs.
Y Children’s Services Manager Breanne Sutherland said it was important for the children to experience the joy of helping those in need.
“It is important to give back in this way as there are many less fortunate in our local community and if we are able to help them out just a little bit it may be something that helps them have a more joyful Christmas,” Ms Sutherland said.
“We tried to think of charities that we have been involved with on a personal level or which the children can relate to, for example my son spent some time in the Children’s Ward at Gosford Hospital at the end of last year and beginning of this year.
“We talk to the children about what we are collecting for and why we are collecting for these charities. They were also involved in decorating the bags for the children at the hospital.”
It’s the first year the Central Coast team have come together for a gift giving drive, but they aim to make it an annual event.
“A decent amount of planning and work goes into this as we require all staff to help collect, sort and pack the items donated,” Ms Sutherland said.
“We’d also like to thank all of the families who donated to our collections. The response from the communities that we delivered the donations to was one of great joy and happiness, they were very grateful for the donations and welcoming of our presence.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Madeleine Clarke on 0400 974 816 or Kate Hancock on 0439 427 522
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