PBDA spreads Christmas cheer to needy families

THE Portarlington Business Development Association (PBDA) has thanked the many generous businesses that have helped it bring festive spirit to the town’s most needy through its Christmas Gift Program.

PBDA president John Rae suggested to the association’s board in 2015 that it should set up some kind of scheme to assist families not financially able to have a Christmas due to their financial situation. The board then opened discussions with the various bodies in touch with people who required assistance.

Starting with just one recipient in its first year, the Christmas Gift Program has grown from strength to strength annually, with the need increasing along with the number of donors and donations each year.

In 2022, the PBDA received nominations for 33 families, so it organised packages of gift vouchers to be donated by 33 local businesses.

“We don’t know individually who the people are, but we go to various groups and they supply the names, ” Mr Rae said.

Each family has a collective $700 to spend and can nominate anything they think would help them over Christmas.

“Inevitably, parents leave themselves off [from choosing a present] until last,” Mr Rae said.

“Last year, for example, we had people who hadn’t changed their glasses for three years because they hadn’t had the money to do that.

“This year is the biggest program we’ve ever had.”

This year’s donors included Portarlington Golf Club, Lions Club, Mussel Festival, Oxygen College, Indented Head Group, Tracy Bold, Celtic Festival, Bellarine Bayside, Bruce and Mandy Elliott, Bendigo Bank, Portside Pilates, Trewin Builders, Cosmetic Refinement Clinic, Batman Investments, Portarlington Football Netball Club, Cheiron Health, Ebejer & Associates Lawyers, Portarlington Holiday Units, Propeld, Jack Rabbit, Portarlington Lifestyle Village, and O’Connor’s Farm Machinery.

Families received their gifts this week, with PBDA executive members Jenny King and Kerry Trewin assisting with the delivery.

The PBDA has shared some messages from this year’s recipients:

A single mum who has escaped a violent relationship: I am rather overwhelmed by such a generous offer and although it feels a bit uncomfortable, I am incredibly grateful to be offered the opportunity to make Christmas special for us this year. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for the generous offer that has brought a lot of cheer to us and definitely restored my faith in mankind

A person who is the foster carer for four children: Thank you once again for this opportunity. We feel sincerely blessed and blown away by the kindness of the PBDA. This assistance will definitely ease some pressure on our single income family and make Christmas extra special this year

A single mum with three children: Thank you so much I am extremely grateful! This year has been tough financially and emotionally, and to be gifted something so wonderful will make a huge difference for our family, and

A single mum undergoing chemotherapy, with a young family: I realised when I started to think about vouchers how much weight this gift will take off my shoulders over the Christmas period with what lies ahead for my children and I. I cannot thank you enough, it is extremely generous, and I hope good things come in return to everyone who is a part of such a kind act.