Our aim at Christmas is to help local children who need a little Christmas Cheer, through supporting both the Samaritans and the Challenge Foundation. This year we were able to give some excess to the Neighbourhood Centre at Berkeley Vale also. Our Club is fortunate to be paired with Ray White , Berkeley Vale, who collect many of our gifts. We thank Ian & his team for their continuing support of our Christmas Toy Drive.
We are also grateful for the generosity of members & partners of both The Entrance and Erina Rotary clubs for both the Kris Kringle presents and also the residual cash from the Christmas Party. Thanks particularly to those who gave presents or vouchers for the older children
Samaritans, Bateau Bay The number of families and children under their care programs is well down on past years although they expect it to bulid up again in 2024 . They gave us a detailed breakdown by child with age & sex & even some suggestions for toys . With only 10 children under 10 to cater for we were able to meet many of those requests. (We did warn them that with larger numbers such a specific pairing would be difficult to achieve)
Challenge Foundation They gave us a broad breakdown by age & sex. We were able to meet the toys for under 10s, some for 10 -12s and the balance of the older children by vouchers—largely Cinema (two tickets), Rebel Sport and Westfield
Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre With a surplus of toys for the younger age groups (particularly under 7) we were able to give BBNC a total of 35 toys. We have been supporting them with fruit & veg deliveries every Tuesday this year (principally due to donations of 6 to 15 boxes from Wamberal Fruit & Veg) and have been made aware that demand for some of their services is up by up to 500% they run a toy library as well as a Christmas gift program. Whilst they receive toys from many sources they were very appreciative of our donation.
