Hampers Full Of Festive Fun
Illawarra Mercury
Monday December 16, 2002
THE commercialism and materialism of Christmas puts pressure on parents to buy the latest ``in" toys for their children.
And that pressure weighed heavier on parents of disadvantaged families, Mission Employment services manager Eddie Boyle said yesterday.
``It doesn't matter how well off or otherwise the family is, the kids still want the same things as all their friends - the Pokemon or Digimon or whatever," he said.
``Parents often struggle to say no, and other (important) things give so they can make their kids' Christmas as special as possible."
To help alleviate the burden, Mission Australia distributed about 100 Christmas hampers from its Wollongong offices at the weekend.
The hampers included hams, Christmas cakes, puddings, custard, cordial and other food.
``There's general food that families need in there, but we try to keep the hamper as Christmassy as possible," Mr Boyle said.
They also contained a $10 Toy Share voucher to buy a toy donated to Mission Australia's Toy Share Appeal. Money raised from toy sales will be used to buy other items, such as wheelchairs.
Wollongong City Brass band played carols for the children at the weekend event and the Lions Club put on a sausage sizzle.
``By providing a morning of activity for those families and individuals who need it the most, we can ensure that those families across the Illawarra who are doing it tough this Christmas receive some added assistance," Mr Boyle said.
``The spirit of giving at Christmas time is at the heart of what Mission Australia does."
© 2002 Illawarra Mercury
