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21 December, 2005
Record number of families to be helped this Christmas by Wesley Newcastle City Mission
Wesley Newcastle City Mission is distributing more than $12,000 worth of toys, food and hampers to needy families and individuals in Newcastle and the Hunter this Christmas.
The goods are being distributed to a record number of families. Food vouchers worth $6500 have also been distributed to Tamworth, Taree and Urala through Wesley Newcastle City Mission’s network of support, Wesley Uniting Employment offices and some Uniting Churches.
Manager of Wesley Newcastle City Mission Gary Izzard said the response from the community and business groups to the Wesley Mission/Prime Christmas Appeal had been overwhelming.
“In the next few days our staff and volunteers will be delivering hampers, food and cash to hundreds of families who are doing it tough this Christmas,” Mr Izzard said.
“These donations will ease the burden and stress on families and provide them with the support they need. It will be the difference between sitting down to a Christmas lunch or having a bare table and little hope.”
Volunteers and workers have already begun delivering food, toys and cash donations to families. Workers say that these families have been overjoyed and appreciative of the generosity of others:
- A Lake Macquarie grandmother caring for her five grandchildren said the hamper she received would ‘make a world of difference’ to the children’s Christmas.
- A Newcastle mother and victim of domestic violence said she would be able to enjoy a happy and safe Christmas with her children.
- A disabled mother of three, facing bankruptcy and massive medical bills said she would now be spared the embarrassment of having to explain to her children why the family was not celebrating Christmas Day.
Mr Izzard said a family’s problems often continue after Christmas.
“Wesley Newcastle City Mission is providing ongoing support and care to people from Christmas Day onwards,” he said. “That is why it is vital that the people of Newcastle and the Hunter are encouraged to continue their generous support of our work. “The holiday period can be one of the most stressful times of the year. This strain has traditionally manifested itself in higher rates of domestic violence and suicide. And when credit card bills arrive in the New Year the situation worsens. A family can then become a place of anxiety and depression.”
For Further Information
Gary Izzard
4961 1661 or 0407 101 194
