By Jesse Graham
YARRA Valley residents are being called on to lend a hand and help to brighten up a family’s Christmas, with a Healesville charity trying to gather $6000 worth of toys.
Healesville Interchurch Community Care (HICCI) is gathering donations of new toys ahead of Christmas, after its annual donation of $6000 worth of toys from a not-for-profit organisation fell through.
The donated toys are used for HICCI’s annual Christmas shop, where families who are experiencing financial difficulties can come and choose toys for Christmas.
HICCI executive officer Alison Gommers said that without the regular toy donation, it would be harder to get toys together for those families.
“When the people come in, they choose what their child might like,” she said.
“For some, that is their gifts.”
“Some families were also looking for their grandchildren, but we’re going to be so reduced this year that’s just not going to happen – it’s not going to be what it was in the past.”
Ms Gommers urged anyone going Christmas shopping to spare a few dollars and buy a new toy – such as arts and crafts items, Lego, books and board games – to donate to the appeal.
“Just anything, because we’re stuck,” she said.
“These are difficult times for everyone, anyway, finding extra money.
“It’d make the difference to a child’s Christmas.”
She said HICCI had 4600 occurrences in the 2015-’16 financial year where they helped individuals and families, with food hampers making up 1839 of those incidents.
HICCI clients will also receive a Christmas hamper with donated cakes from the Lions Club of Healesville, ham and plum pudding – Ms Gommers said the hampers would be handed out as normal.
She said YX Ball Financial Pty Ltd had already come on board and made a “very generous” donation to help make up the lack of toys.
Donated toys should not be wrapped, and HICCI also accepts monetary donations, which staff will use to purchase toys. Donations over $2 are tax deductable.
Donations can be dropped off at HICCI, next to the Memo Hall, the Healesville Community Link on River Street, the Healesville Community Bank branch or Healesville Primary School until 9 December.
For more information, call 5965 3529.
