SWAN Hill Christmas Trees raised close to $3000 for the Salvation Army following their incredibly successful sale at the Swan Hill Inc. markets, with the funding going towards the Christmas Cheer Campaign.
The campaign provides gifts and essentials for children, and thanks to Swan Hill Christmas Trees, $5500 will be going to vulnerable families to give them a happier holidays.
Co-ordinator Bethany Dodgshun said it was Swan Hill Christmas Trees’ best year yet, with more trees sold than any other year.
“We had a few extra trees for sale on the day and it’s lucky that we had them – people just love having them in their homes, and even at the markets we had so many people stop by wanting to touch them and really experience that fresh pine scent,” she said.
“There was only one hiccup before the market, and that was because there was so much rain over in Daylesford, we couldn’t get the semi-trailer onto the farm!
“But luckily Swan Hill Hire came through with a truck and trailer to assist, and we managed to get all the trees to town in time.”
In addition to the tree sale, a family from Son Centre Christian College made a generous donation, bringing the total to $3000 for the Salvos.
“The Salvation Army gave $2500 of their own money to the appeal, and thanks to Beth and Swan Hill Christmas Trees, we’ve been able to double what we usually give,” team leader of Mallee Integrated Services at The Salvation Army Swan Hill George Mudford said.
“It means we have so much more capacity to give toys and gifts to older children, as well as the younger ones.
“We like to have a focus on getting active, so families in Swan Hill can have bikes, or Sportspower gift cards.
“This also means in our Christmas hampers we can have items like a nice ham, something families in need might not have been able to afford otherwise.
“It’s just been an incredible effort, and we’re so thankful for it in the lead up to Christmas.”
