Sinclair Wilson & Lifeline seek to brighten every child’s Charismas morning

LIFELINE’S Crisis Support receives a new phone call every 50 seconds during the festive period, showing Christmas can be a tough time for many families.
But Lifeline South West Victoria is doing its best providing Christmas cheer to those in need, through a partnership with Sinclair Wilson.
The joint Christmas Appeal is encouraging staff, clients and the local community to buy gifts to help south-west children who otherwise may have nothing to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Sinclair Wilson partner Felicity Melican said it was a privilege to be included in the local community gift giving and wishing tree program for the past three years.
“The partners and the community groups involved have been blown away by the generosity and thoughtfulness from many of our staff,” she said.
“Through our Christmas programs we have all become more aware of just how fortunate we are and how we can help in a small way at Christmas.”
Lifeline community engagement manager Chloe Brian said many families in the south-west would find it tough to provide gifts for their children this year.
“We rely on the generosity of financial donations to run our Crisis Support services, and now we have a chance to thank the community and give back in partnership with Sinclair and Wilson,” Ms Brian told The Standard.
“We’d love local agencies to contact us if they have children in need.”
She said while there were other giving tree programs in Warrnambool, Sinclair and Wilson wanted to run their own to know the support would stay with local families.
The community is encouraged to leave unwrapped gifts under a large Christmas tree on display at Sinclair Wilson on Timor Street.
Lifeline South West Vic volunteers will collect the donated gifts and work with local agencies to distribute to registered families who are most in need.
Donation vouchers can also be purchased from any Lifeline Shop in the south-west, directly supporting Lifeline South West Vic Crisis Support.
Original Article Source:
Published By: The Warrnambool Standard
Written By: Jono Pech
Photography: Angela Milne
Date Published: Dec. 10, 2014, 4 a.m.
http://www.standard.net.au/story/2754170/welfare-appeal-brings-christmas-cheer/