{"id":150781,"date":"2024-12-04T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=150781"},"modified":"2024-12-02T15:21:58","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T04:21:58","slug":"local-fairy-godmothers-make-christmas-wishes-come-true","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/local-fairy-godmothers-make-christmas-wishes-come-true\/","title":{"rendered":"Local ‘fairy godmothers’ make Christmas wishes come true"},"content":{"rendered":"

SURF Coast “fairy godmothers” Gail McCully and Liza Graham are back at it again this year, ensuring no child misses out on gifts this Christmas with their “Adopt a Surfcoaster” program.<\/p>\n

“There so many people doing it tough,” Ms Graham said.<\/p>\n

“It’s not just people that are terminally ill or [have] just lost their parent. There’s a lot of families, but also people, that are just struggling to put food on the table, let alone bring the magic for their kids at Christmas time.”<\/p>\n

Now in its ninth year, the program operates through a Facebook page, where the team share the requests of local families and its followers quickly rally to fulfil those requests.<\/p>\n

“This community never ceases to amaze me. There are so many people that are willing to help,” Ms Graham said.<\/p>\n

“Some people can only afford one little thing and some people can afford to buy for a whole family.<\/p>\n

“It’s like the whole village is coming together to help those families in this time.”<\/p>\n

Ms Graham said the families the program supports come from all different walks of life. Some reach out directly for assistance, while others are referred through local schools and community centres.<\/p>\n

Great care is taken to ensure the families seeking assistance remain anonymous.<\/p>\n

“There’s no shame or embarrassment; it’s the last thing we want because people go through hard times.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
McCartney Real Estate in Torquay will once again serve as a drop off location, while Surf Coast Community Bank will this year provide drop off locations in Winchelsea and Anglesea.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Last year, the initiative supported 60 families across the region, marking its biggest year to date.<\/p>\n

Similar numbers are anticipated this year, with 20 families already registered.<\/p>\n

“What’s been the most beautiful thing this year, is a couple of people that we’ve helped in the past have this year come and said, ‘I’m on my feet and I’m in a great position and I want to give back, so I want to adopt a family’,” Ms Graham said.<\/p>\n

“It’s been so beautiful to see the cycle.”<\/p>\n

McCartney Real Estate in Torquay will once again host a wishing tree where gifts can be dropped off, while Surf Coast Community Bank will this year provide drop off locations in Winchelsea and Anglesea.<\/p>\n

Several other local businesses such as Rip Curl, Ghanda and Flying Start Children’s Therapy, have thrown their support behind the initiative, and the generous donation of a warehouse space this year will enable the team to expand its reach and help every family located in the Surf Coast Shire in need.<\/p>\n

“If you or anyone you know needs some help… reach out,” Ms Graham said. “It’s completely anonymous and we’re here to support the community.<\/p>\n

“Or, if you’re someone in the community and you do have a little bit extra in your budget and you would like to give a gift to a child, then jump on our page or drop a stocking stuffer off at one of the [drop off] locations.”<\/p>\n

For more information, or to request support this Christmas, head to the Adopt a Surfcoaster Facebook page, or email adoptasurfcoaster2024@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SURF Coast “fairy godmothers” Gail McCully and Liza Graham are back at it again this year, ensuring no child misses out on gifts this Christmas with their “Adopt a Surfcoaster” program. “There so many people doing it tough,” Ms Graham said. “It’s not just people that are terminally ill or [have] just lost their parent. […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":216,"featured_media":151098,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-150781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLocal 'fairy godmothers' make Christmas wishes come true - Surf Coast Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Adopt a Surfcoaster returns for ninth year. 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