MALLEE Family Care (MFC) has been overwhelmed by the “sheer volume” of gifts Ray White Swan Hill has been delivering to its office as part of the real estate agent’s annual Little Ray of Giving initiative.
MFC chief executive officer Teresa Jayet said that staff were “incredibly moved” by the Christmas spirit of giving they had witnessed first-hand, to ensure children they supported in the region received something special on Christmas morning.
“Due to COVID-19 and the successive lockdowns, MFC has seen an increase in the number of families needing assistance in 2021, meaning there’s more children than ever before, to support through the Christmas appeal,” Ms Jayet said.
“However, thanks to the incredible generosity of the community, no child connected to MFC’s services will miss out.”
Ray White Swan Hill principal Cameron Smits said close to 500 gifts were left under the Christmas tree by the community.
“Not that it should matter, but there was good quality stuff, like bikes, electric scooter, heap of watches, Lego.
“It was a very good variety too – we have stuff from babies to little kids right through to teens.
“In the past it’s been targeted towards ages at one end of the scale, but this year it was left wide open.”
Mr Smits said it was the most successful year in the five years the business had ran the initiative.
“Everyone is really mindful when shopping as well … not buying gifts that need extra things to be bought down the track, like consistent batteries,” he said.
Ms Jayet said the appeal was a great reminder of the values that had always underpinned Mallee communities.
“This region has long been known for a ‘support your own’ mentality – communities coming together to help others in need – and every year our Christmas toy appeal demonstrates this,” Ms Jayet said.
As 2020 drew to close, Ms Jayet reflected on the impacts of COVID-19 across north-west Victoria, not anticipating that 2021 would deliver more of the same.
“But as the year unfolded, the rolling lockdowns once again drove people to seek assistance from MFC, and increasingly, the organisation has seen people who’ve never required support before,” she said.
“The last two years have been a stark reminder that anyone can face difficulties and the community is showing a genuine willingness to be part of solutions and to support those in need.”
Ms Jayet said people had got behind the cause in numbers not previously seen.
“Our staff has been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of gifts the Ray White team have been delivering to our office and they’ve been incredibly moved by the Christmas spirit of giving that they’ve witnessed first-hand,” she said.
Along with gifts that had been delivered through the Little Ray of Giving, the organisation has also received donations directly from members of the community.
“We have received donations from people of all ages; they simply want to make a difference by ensuring Christmas is a little brighter for a child living in this region,” Ms Jayet said.
“The people of Swan Hill have a proud history of looking after their own and it would seem that this Christmas, in response to COVID-19, they have taken it to a whole new level.”
