RAYMOND Terrace Lions Club is sharing the Christmas spirit by supporting those doing it tough this festive season.
The “We Care Connect” annual Christmas Toy Appeal has highlighted the ever-growing number of children who need to be kept safe, warm and cared for, particularly at this time of the year.
The cost of living has not eased over the past 12 months, so the call for help is louder and stronger than ever.
We Care Connect will be trying to support nearly 4000 children in the Port Stephens region.
Each child receives a mix of bigger gifts, books, and stocking fillers, so all up the Christmas elves will be packaging 15,000 presents this year.
Raymond Terrace Lions Membership Chair Annette Clark, told News Of The Area that club members are more than happy and willing to assist wherever possible.
“This year more than $2000 was spent on the purchase of gifts suitable for newborns through to 15-years plus and were delivered to the We Care Connect organisation on 18 November,” Annette said.
“I really hope that the smiles on the children’s faces on Christmas morning match the smiles on our members’ faces.
“It really is a feel good moment in the very busy lives of our club members, one that reflects on all the hard work it takes to raise this money in the first place.”
Raymond Terrace Lions also participated in the We Care Connects annual Poverty Week campaign “I Care, You Care, We Care” during October.
The expectations of raising $80,000 were exceeded with the final figure being over $96,000 – giving 1883 children the care and essentials they need.
MarketPlace Raymond Terrace has also come on board and will have a “Wishing Tree” located adjacent to the Raymond Terrace Lions Club Christmas wrapping tables.
By Chris KARAS
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