By Jed Lanyon
Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc (HICCI) is putting the call out for donations as the support organisation looks toward a “different” Christmas.
HICCI executive officer Alison Gommers said won’t be going ahead with the usual Christmas toy drive and are instead hoping the community can provide monetary donations.
“In the past we’ve had our toy shop for our clients, but we’re not going to be able to do that this year.
“Instead we’re providing Kmart vouchers for children naught to 16 for clients that are registered with us.”
Ms Gommers said this way the organisation can limit the handling of goods during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s just to limit the contact for people to help ensure everyone’s safety. Things can change so quickly, so we needed to make some decisions as to how to best manage the project. We still wanted to support people.
“Instead of Christmas food hampers that we’ve given in the past, we’re going to be giving food vouchers too. People in need can register from now and make a time to come in and collect the vouchers.
“We just want to help make Christmas a bit more special and try to make some positives out of everything that is going on. This year we are having some cards printed going out to local schools to decorate and will go out to our volunteers and clients. We’re just trying to involve the community.”
Ms Gommers admitted the organisation has a hard time saying no and while they would accept and pass on toys, that HICCI would prefer monetary donations.
“We’ve become busier as of late. The reduction in JobSeeker and JobKeeper has seen people only be able to maintain things for so long. I think people are starting to get frightened about Christmas and that they may not be able to afford the same gifts as they have in the past.
“People may be feeling a sense of freedom now, but that’s not going to pay the bills.
“We can help refer people to other services that can help pay a utility bill through a special grant. It may not be help from HICCI, but just a referral to another organisation that can best help or to find out what’s available.
“For all those people who have been homeschooling and working from home, the bills have been higher than ever and now it’s turning to Christmas expenses.
“We’re open for business and we’re here to help. Christmas is happening but it’s going to be a bit different.”
For more information about registering for HICCI’s Christmas appeal or to donate, call: 5911 6000.
