For the 32nd year, Newcastle Permanent is joining with The Salvation Army to collect presents for kids and teenagers.
The goal of this initiative is to ensure that Christmas can be an enjoyable time for a record number of families in need of a helping hand after a challenging year.
Newcastle Permanent CEO, Bernadette Inglis said they are calling on the local community to help them achieve their goal to give the gift that keeps on giving this festive season.
“We’re calling on our people, their families and the local community to help us collect a record number of donated presents this year to share with The Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Drive Appeal,” she said.
“We know this partnership makes a real difference to our customers and communities. Over the last three decades we’ve helped to ensure that thousands of presents were found by children under Christmas trees that may have been bare.”
From the start of December through to December 21, all Newcastle Permanent branches across NSW will be acting acting as collection points for these toys and gifts.
“There’s a real spirit of generosity among our people and many of them, despite the challenges they’ve faced in 2020, have already brought in gifts to help The Salvos reach their target of collecting 500,000 donated presents this December,” she said.
“So many families across our communities have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re committed to helping these people through what should be a joyful time for all.”
With the need so great this year, local branches across the Hunter region are encouraging children to get involved.
Newcastle Permanent’s Regional Manager, Carly Bush said that it’s the thought that counts – the gift can be as big or small as you like.
“Any gift of any value will help and be warmly received. You don’t have to give a lot, just whatever you can,” she said.
“Presents should be new, unwrapped, unused and can be of any value. We’re particularly hoping to make this year special for teenagers in our local area so, in addition to presents for younger kids, gifts like accessories, movie tickets, sports equipment, electrical appliances like hair straighteners and gift vouchers for the likes of eBay, shopping centres, Netflix or department stores will really help.”
The Salvation Army’s Major David Collinson, NSW Public Relations Secretary said Newcastle Permanent’s 32 years of ongoing support was a great support each Christmas season.
“Christmas can be a really difficult time for some families. We have experienced a significant increase in applications for assistance this year and we are so grateful for our ongoing partnership with Newcastle Permanent as this generosity helps inspire others to give also,” he said.
“We hope to collect 500,000 gifts this year across the nation and every one of these gifts will find its place in a stocking or underneath a tree on Christmas morning.
“These generous community donations are motivated by kindness and that’s incredibly heartening because that is after-all what the Christmas spirit is all about.”
A full list of much-needed gifts can be found on the Newcastle Permanent website.
Donation collection points will be open until close of business across all Newcastle Permanent branches until 21 December 2020.
IMAGE | Newcastle Permanent’s callout for Christmas gifts for The Salvation Army is off to a great start thanks to donations from generous children Elle, Levi and Stella and their families!
