Offering a Ray of hope

The Salvation Army distributed many toys to families in need this past Christmas, and just under 200 of them were curated by one local group.

AS part of the national A Little Ray of Giving campaign, Ray White Ballarat utilised media to call the city to “generous” action last month, collecting as many toys as they could to donate to the Salvos, their chosen community partner.

Ray White Ballarat director, Phillip Lee said the initiative is about eight years old, and the branch enjoys working closely with the “very appreciative” charity.

“The whole aim of collecting the toys is to help put a smile on a child’s face that otherwise would not have got a present at Christmas time,” he said.

“It’s very much about us being involved with the community and the staff, all together as a team, pull together and it’s their way of giving back to the community, not all just one way.

“This is just another way of us helping someone out.”

Merv and Russell from the Salvos picked up all toys from Ray White’s Lydiard Street office five days before Christmas, with donations also from staff, members of the Rotary Club Wendouree Breakfast and Goodstart Early Learning Wendouree.