29th November 2018
With the temperature rising and the silly season fast approaching, many people are beginning their annual Christmas shop expeditions. But for others, this time of year can be very stressful for families facing financial hardships.
Fortunately, for families in the Whitsundays, a Christmas charity project developed by Good 360 will ensure that no stocking will be empty, and no child will go without this Christmas.
What began as a disaster relief project from the destruction of Cyclone Debbie in 2017, has become an annual pop up event to ensure low-income households have a brighter Christmas.
After Cyclone Debbie destroyed homes, businesses and communities in 2017, many families struggled to provide for their households especially around Christmas time.
Whitsundays Neighbourhood Centre Executive Officer, Rebecca Woods recognised the need for a charity project to take the financial burden away from families affected by Cyclone Debbie.
"Last year we did something extra because it was the year of the cyclone. Christmas can be a very stressful time of year when people don't have the money to celebrate Christmas the way they want to," said Ms Woods.
"We have sourced donations of brand new toys with brand names like Lego, Shopkins and Little Live Pets as well as other brand name toys and giftware to make gift giving easier for people on low incomes this year," she said.
Sourced by not-for-profit charity organisation Good360, the donated items will benefit hundreds of families in the Whitsundays community.
In early 2019, the Whitsundays Neighbourhood Centre is hoping to run a Back To School pop-up shop offering uniforms, stationary and other school items for families in need.
The Whitsundays Christmas Pop Up Shop will be at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre Endeavor and will run from Thursday November 29 from 4pm-7pm, Friday November 30, 9pm-3pm and finish up on Saturday December 1 from 9am-12pm.
