Community members were encouraged to donate gifts for local families and place them under the tree in the Deniliquin Hospital foyer.
The items would then be distributed to clients of Homes Out West - an organisation proving long term community housing.
With gifts for children, teenagers and adults alike requested, Sheridan Peasley from Homes Out West said the support exceeded expectation.
“We ordered 50 gift bags to place the donated items in to be delivered, and we had to get some reusable local shopping bags for all the other donations that did not fit,” she said.
“It took us more than a day to deliver everything, and that was a solid effort with people in two cars.
“At least 40 families received donations, and they were all very grateful to receive the gifts.”
Donations were mostly toys for the younger members of each family, but Deni LHAC member Lourene Liebenberg reported there were also some vouchers and adult gifts like toiletries, candles and household items donated.
“Support for the initiative has been fairly steady over the years, but we did get a big boost this year thanks to Natahan Crampton’s donation from his Santa photos, which was then matched by Wired Entertainment.
“We thank them immensely for that.
“We also thank the Shevels family for once again purchasing and decorating the live Christmas tree through the Rotary Club of Deniliquin for the hospital foyer.
“It is wonderful to have this partnership between LHAC and Homes Out West, and the love and support from the community in providing a little extra Christmas joy for some of the local families who may be doing it tough.
“We will continue with this partnership in future years, as it is an easy way to get donations to where they are possible needed most.”
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