Get involved this Christmas

The team at West Welcome Wagon are busy wrapping presents for their Christmas Toy Drive. (L-R) Chief executive Colette McInerney, with volunteers Carly Raymond, Josette Varga and Karen George. (Damjan Janevski) 375965_01

In the spirit of giving, West Welcome Wagon (WWW) is inviting the community to join its Christmas Toy Drive, ensuring that the holidays are filled with joy for asylum seeker and refugee children.

The drive, running until Friday, December 15, focuses on providing brand new gifts for more than 1000 children across all age groups, from new-borns to 17-year-olds.

Amidst the challenges of navigating the cost of living and rental crises these families are facing, WWW aims to bring smiles to the faces of young ones this festive season.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys for all age groups (0-17) are welcome, with a special call for gifts tailored to teenage girls and boys.

West Welcome Wagon chief executive Colette McInerney said the gifts will be delivered to almost 400 households that the organisation supports.

“This is my first Christmas with WWW and I’ve come to learn that the public is so incredibly generous. We love the support from the west and we’re looking forward to that generosity with great appreciation,” she said.

To contribute to this initiative, community members are encouraged to reach out to donate@westwelcomewagon.org.au or make a drop off directly to the WWW warehouse located at Unit 6, 42-46 Vella Drive in Sunshine West.

Locals can also drop their unwrapped gifts off at Bendigo Bank in Seddon, Dr Daniel Mulino’s MP office in Sunshine, or at the Commonwealth Bank Sunshine branch.

WWW is also running a Christmas appeal for financial donations to help keep the organisation floating.

“We’re running really low at the moment and we have definitely seen an increase in demand for our material aid, and for basics such as our food packs. We are hoping for some financial donations to help us purchase other items such as fans, kitchen items, vacuum cleaners and more,” she said.

Details: www.westwelcomewagon.org.au/