Tree of generosity

By Kath Gannaway
CHRISTMAS is just for kids? Not according to Healesville Primary School!
The school is running its Christmas Giving Tree again this year and it’s ready and waiting for members of the community to turn the colourful gift tags decorating their Christmas tree into presents for the district’s elderly residents.
The tree, which has pride of place in the school’s reception area, is decked out with a gift voucher for each of the residents of Monda Lodge, Schofield and Holmwood Nursing Home.
People can also nominate residents living in their own homes who they feel would benefit from a bit of Christmas cheer.
“The Healesville Primary School Giving Tree is our way of giving back to the community and of saying to the children that Christmas is not just about receiving gifts but also about giving,” school president Kersten Gentle said.
“There are people in the community who can be forgotten at Christmas and this is about ensuring that everyone in the Healesville community enjoys and celebrates the season of giving.”
People are invited to either take a gift voucher from the tree and purchase a gift to the value of $10, or make a donation and a school representative will purchase a gift. Gifts should be wrapped and returned to the school by Tuesday 4 December.
“The present will be given on behalf of the wider Healesville community, not the school,” Ms Gentle said.
“Our students are looking forward to delivering the gifts and spreading a bit of Christmas cheer.”
Anyone who would like to participate is invited to go to the school, select a gift voucher and register, or make a donation.
For more information contact the school on 5962 4053.