Craigieburn's Christmas toy drive
Christmas is a time for fun and laughter, but there are many families who just can't afford to buy toys or books for their children during the festive season.
For more than 10 years, the Brotherhood of St Laurence toy shop has been giving toys to families over the Christmas period who are experiencing social, economic and financial disadvantage.
This year, the Brotherhood's Craigieburn Centre will help bring joy at Christmas to about 200 families who live in Craigieburn and surrounding suburbs of the Hume region, in Melbourne's outer north-west, when they choose a gift for their children from its temporary toy shop.
Registered parents will be able to visit the shop and are given the opportunity to choose a gift for each of their children from a range of new toys. Without this service, many children wouldn't have a gift to open on Christmas Day. But the toy shop is only possible through the help of generous donations from the wider community.
Craigieburn is seeking books and toys for boys and girls aged from newborn to 12-years-old. All donations must be new and unused. Don't worry about wrapping them, either.
Schools can set up a collection box for students and families to donate. We can deliver a donation pack complete with a collection box, flyers and other information.
If your school community would like to get involved, contact administration coordinator Jacinta Johns on (03) 8339 6500 or email jjohns@bsl.org.au .