St Vincent de Paul is again doing their part this Christmas to provide support to locals who need it most but they need your help.
Vinnies has the help of local businesses including Elders Real Estate Parkes and Cunningham's IGA as well as local churches.
Elders Real Estate Parkes is again participating in the Give It Christmas Appeal for the fourth year.
Elders will be partnering with Vinnies to collect presents in hopes to bring some Christmas cheer to kids this year to make their Christmas a little brighter.
Elders and Vinnies ask that you please bring in a gift for kids ranging up to 18 years and place it under the Elders Christmas tree at 296 Clarinda Street.
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Once gifts are collected Elders, St Vincent De Paul and the local churches will distribute the gifts out to families.
Gifts can also be delivered to Vinnies no later than Friday, December 6 between 10am and 3pm.
Vinnies asks that only new toys are donated and are unwrapped due to safety reasons.
IGA will also be doing their bit to help Vinnies raise much needed donations for this year's Christmas Appeal.
IGA will be selling $2 donation baubles until December 26 in efforts to raise money for community members who need support.
Help by buying a $2 Vinnies Bauble or any specially marked Community Chest product at IGA. Your spare change really matters.
In the last financial year Vinnies Central West (Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Peak Hill and Trundle) provided $356,000 worth of assistance to 1769 people on 2085 occasions.
Vinnies Parkes provided $88,000 worth of assistance to 615 people on 802 occasions.
“The Vinnies Christmas Appeal plays a critical role in ensuring our members and services are able to meet the need for assistance present in the community at a time when inequality is growing,” St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO, Yolanda Saiz said.
Close to 100,000 people were supported by Society NSW members over the last year which saw an increase of 14% from the previous 12 months and over a third of people reached out for support for the first time over the last year.
With Christmas just weeks away, the annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal is calling on the community to help address the ongoing hardship felt across the state.
Funds raised from the Vinnies Christmas Appeal will enable the Society’s members to distribute vital assistance through food, clothing, household expenses, accommodation and much more.
“The Christmas season is a celebration of love, giving and shared humanity. It is also the busiest period for our members and services as families strive to manage competing expenses of housing and everyday living,” St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President, Peter Houweling said.
“We ask that those who can, give generously to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal this season to support and bring comfort to the most vulnerable in our community. It is with this act of giving, that we all reaffirm our shared commitment to care for one another, reflecting the true meaning of Christmas,” Mr Houweling said.
To donate to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, visit www.vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12.
All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
To keep Vinnies great work going in the local community, Vinnies is always need of more volunteers.
Volunteering is one of the best ways to make new friends, build relationships and learn new skills.
The Society welcomes everyone of all ages and activities can include sorting of donated goods, serving at the counter, clerical duties, basic computer work or interviewing and listening to people in need and providing assistance to them.
If you are interested in volunteering and being able to give back to your community, call 6862 5758, email wcfsvdp@vinnies.org.au or call into the Vinnies Shop to enquire.
They would love to hear from you and have you join them in making a difference in the community.
