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THE response to the inaugural Bega District News Christmas Toy Drive has been absolutely overwhelming!
The initiative winds up today and Bega’s St Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army members have begun distributing the gifts and toys to disadvantaged children and families in the local area.
There will also be an allocation of suitable toys heading to the children’s ward at the Bega District Hospital.
There is plenty to go around thanks to a wonderfully generous community and local businesses.
Hundreds of toys and pieces of sports equipment for boys and girls of all ages piled up under the BDN’s Christmas tree over the past month, with a steady stream of warm-hearted people leaving their donations.
“I have been completely overwhelmed by the generosity,” BDN features coordinator and Toy Drive instigator Gary Etcell said.
“The response from the general public has been massive.
“And it has lifted this whole office seeing everyone, adults and kids, come through the door with presents to put under the tree.”
Among the most touching gift-givers was a girl of about five years old who brought in a present she had paid for with her own pocket money, and other children who said they had picked out the gifts themselves to give to those less fortunate.
One man even brought in a couple of kids’ bikes with matching helmets, which will surely bring more than a smile to the recipient families’ faces.
Among the very generous business donations was $200 worth of portable DVD players, headphones and basketballs from the team at Max Employment, and five $20 Woolworths vouchers from the crew at Bega McDonald’s.
Tony Abrahams from Bega Vinnies said the Toy Drive response means a lot to his clients.
“Thanks very much to everyone and to the BDN for organising it,” he said.
“The essence of Christmas is giving, so the community in particular should be applauded for this effort.”
Lesley Newton from the Salvos also said she was grateful for the BDN’s idea and looked forward to supporting it in the future.
“The fact you created this space for people to bring and bring and bring – the generosity is just wonderful.
“People in this community are suffering hugely and this has allowed us to bring presents to families who wouldn’t have anything under the tree otherwise.”