Great support: ERH staff swapped out their Kris Kringle tradition to donate toys to the Echuca Community Projects Christmas Toy Appeal.
The 2022 Echuca Community Projects Christmas Toy Appeal was its biggest year yet.
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A massive 274 toys were donated to the appeal during the Christmas period, with the help of 11 local businesses and community services as drop-off points for collection.
The appeal aims to financially support parents and children each Christmas and remove the stigma of asking for help.
“We’re just trying to reach out to parents and let them know that the community is behind them,” co-ordinator Julie Langdon said.
“Parents with multiple kids, I don’t know how they do it.
“I’d be devastated if a kid woke up with nothing.”
Help: Sandra Walker with some of the donated items for the Echuca Community Group Projects Christmas Toy Appeal.
The number of toys collected by the appeal is usually around the 200 mark, a number that was swiftly surpassed last year with the dedication of Echuca Community Group Projects.
“The number of toys that get donated is just incredible,” Ms Langdon, who has been involved for the past 13 years, said.
“I wouldn’t say that it was the best year, but it was definitely the biggest year.
“The hardest thing is getting toys dropped off.”
Before Target left Echuca, it was one of the largest supporters of the Toy Appeal as a collection point.
“When Target left, we really relied on those drop-off points,” Ms Langdon said.
“I want to reach out to more businesses to become drop-off points.
“By getting more businesses involved it spreads awareness for what we’re doing.”
Spirit of generosity: A selection of the items donated to the 2022 Echuca Community Projects Christmas Toy Appeal.
Appeal organisers are seeking more businesses to jump on the wagon next year to get the word out in the community.
“Without those businesses we wouldn’t be able to do it,” Ms Langdon said.
“I do appreciate that they come on board.”
She encouraged people to donate toys of a medium price range to keep it fair for everyone.
“We’ve got to keep it fair,” Ms Langdon said.
“We try to give every child what we call a substantial gift.
“It’s so the kids wake up to something.”
As well as receiving a substantial gift, children may also receive stocking-filler presents such as colouring books, board games and bubble wands.
Twelve volunteers helped out to distribute toys to people to relieve the Christmas gift pressure.
“I’m really proud of the volunteers,” Ms Langdon said.
“We’re always trying to improve.”
The appeal sometimes struggles to find gifts for teenagers.
“That older age group can be really tricky,” Ms Langdon said.
“If people are unsure what to get, they can just get a gift card.
“If you’ve got a $20 gift card, that could go to a teenager.”
The Uniting Church has now taken over the recruitment and rostering of volunteers at the appeal.
Helping hand: Echuca Scouts was among the community groups to contribute to the Toy Appeal.
Ms Langdon helped collect and set up presents over Christmas in the Uniting Church Hall ready to be distributed.
“I want to encourage parents to come down,” she said.
“It gets very emotional at times.
“We know how tough it is.”
Echuca Community Projects thanks all of the businesses and services that have made outstanding contributions, including the Riverine Herald, Moama Village and Meninya St Pharmacies, Bendigo Bank, Echuca Library, Echuca Pool, Apex Echuca, Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School, Staff at Echuca Regional Health, EMFM, the Uniting Church, Dragon Distributors, Echuca Scouts, and volunteers.
One donation that stood out to Ms Langdon was when ERH decided to swap out their Kris Kringle tradition to donate toys to the appeal.
“I think that the message is that we live in an awesome community,” Ms Langdon said.
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