VOLUNTEERS and board members with SJD Foundation Ballarat were hard at work over the weekend packing toys, food and fun Christmas items for children with foster families to enjoy over the holidays.<\/p>\n
The initiative was part of the not-for-profit\u2019s drive to provide 100 foster families each with a Santa sack of goodies, marking the largest delivery the organisation has prepared for their annual Christmas effort.<\/p>\n
Delivered this week primarily through Cafs, SJD Foundation director Brayden Dorney said the hampers are an important way to bring happiness to children.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our biggest year this year linking in with 100 sacks and the most amount of goodies in there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to give a little hope and a little joy to those families that do great things throughout the year taking on foster kids.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with these Christmas hampers each year to deliver to children and family services and some of these will go to our Young Parents program at Yuille Park, and Cafs\u2019 Kinship Care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hamper items include Christmas food like chocolate, jellies, and puddings as well as several toys.<\/p>\n
SJD Foundation Ballarat\u2019s Christmas effort has been running since the organisation\u2019s establishment in 2013, and Mr Dorney said it\u2019s long been supported by the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have been feeling the pinch of the local economy more than ever so it\u2019s really important we keep delivering and increasing our numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cA big supporter has been SPC Cannery helping us with quantities and discounts, and we\u2019ve fundraised through charity barbecues, golf days, and regular supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VOLUNTEERS and board members with SJD Foundation Ballarat were hard at work over the weekend packing toys, food and fun Christmas items for children with foster families to enjoy over the holidays. The initiative was part of the not-for-profit\u2019s drive to provide 100 foster families each with a Santa sack of goodies, marking the largest […]<\/p>\n