HEPBURN Regional Community Cheer is planning for its annual Christmas toy drive as the holiday season fast approaches.<\/p>\n
The initiative runs alongside the organisation\u2019s Xmas Cheer Day of Giving, which president Michelle Clifford said supported community members of all ages across the Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe give vouchers to every individual that comes through so they\u2019re able to go and buy something yummy for their holiday period, and then we provide toys to every child that\u2019s registered,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHRCC is really relying on the kindness of people, and we do understand that everyone is doing it tough. We hope that people will come together to provide Christmas cheer for those who need it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought we\u2019d get a bit of a head start, just in case, to allow people to go and buy gifts to donate onwards.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the program, new toys are given out to children aged one to nine years old, with unisex donations preferred.<\/p>\n
Older kids up to 17 years of age receive vouchers to purchase gifts of their own choosing.<\/p>\n
Over 800 community members received support during the holiday season last year, but Ms Clifford said the HRCC expected that number to rise after another challenging year marred by the pandemic<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re most definitely anticipating that the need for cheer will be increased. There are so many more people that have been having difficulties,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe usually work in partnership with Variety, the children\u2019s charity but they haven\u2019t been able to do much fundraising themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toys can be dropped off at the Daylesford Community Health Centre or Community Bank Daylesford District from late November and early December.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HEPBURN Regional Community Cheer is planning for its annual Christmas toy drive as the holiday season fast approaches. The initiative runs alongside the organisation\u2019s Xmas Cheer Day of Giving, which president Michelle Clifford said supported community members of all ages across the Shire. \u201cWe give vouchers to every individual that comes through so they\u2019re able […]<\/p>\n