Christmas gifts for foster kids from Leopold bakery

MORE THAN 300 toys and presents gifted by customers and employees of the Rolling Pin bakery in Leopold will be distributed to vulnerable children and young people in the Barwon area unable to be with their own families at Christmas.

It’s the first time the store has taken part in the appeal for MacKillop Family Services and owners Nathan and Kristy Williams and Stacey and Todd Lincoln said they were amazed at the generosity of the community, and will expand the drive to all five stores next year.

“We’re delighted with the result, local schools came on board, our own staff got together to raise funds to buy presents and our customers have donated lots of toys, so it’s been a whole community effort and demonstrates the great community spirit there is in this area,” Mr Williams said.

Store manager Joseph Waugh said he was inspired to get behind the campaign by a friend who worked for MacKillop and by those who come to the bakery.

“We serve some of the kids who come in here who are foster kids, and their carers coming with them, so it’s been a great experience for all of us,” he said.

“They’ve held the toys, they’ve run to the ones they want so fingers crossed their carers can get that to them, it’s been great.

“This is the first time we’ve done it and in less than four weeks we’ve over 300 presents.”

MacKillop Family Services’ coordinator Miranda Carter said donations of toys and presents are particularly welcome this year.

“We know that the rising costs of living can make Christmas a difficult time and we are especially grateful to everyone who has supported the Christmas Appeal,” she said.

“I can’t tell you what a difference this makes, and we are thrilled that the community is supporting children and young people in foster care…caring for vulnerable children and young people is something the whole community can be involved in, and I’m delighted that people here in Leopold value and understand the importance of foster carers and the work they do.”