A new Community Christmas Drive initiative, organised by Narrabri and District Community Aid Service (NDCAS), will bring joy to people in need during the festive season.
The shire community can be part of the initiative by donating new unwrapped presents and gift cards at drop-off locations across Narrabri and Wee Waa from October 14 to December 6.
The aim is simple … to ensure children and families across the shire in need of assistance have a Christmas present under the tree. For its first year, NDCAS has set the goal of presents for 200 families (about 800 individual gifts).
“Christmas is a great time but it can be very challenging for some people,” NDCAS community engagement and communications coordinator Kayla Nehrkorn said.
The NDCAS team came up with the concept of a community Christmas drive after receiving donations of gifts from businesses last year.
“We thought let’s get the whole community behind this,” NDCAS client pathways officer Gail Anderson said.
With the cost of living impacting people across the community, the initiative’s aim is for people of all ages to have a present at Christmas.
NDCAS estimates that the number of community needing assistance has increased 30 per cent.
For many, Christmas comes with pressure. People often feel pressured to live up to the hype of Christmas and ensure there are gifts under the tree even if they are limited financially.
This pressure sometimes sees people spend money on gifts while missing out on food or getting behind on important living costs including utilities and rent.
And many of those people who fall behind in payments turn to NDCAS for assistance.
“Still pay for your rent, buy your food and pay your bills. We can arrange a present,” Gail said.
The response from businesses so far has been overwhelmingly positive. NDCAS approached businesses in September seeking their
participation as a drop-off location.
The initiative has also received cash donations from business and industry. Money donated will be used to buy gifts.
Community services are encouraged to refer clients who will benefit from this initiative to NDCAS.
NDCAS will begin accepting referrals from October through to November 29.
Referrals will only be accepted directly from a service via email or in person.
More information is available online on the NDCAS website, www.ndcas.com
WHERE TO DONATE
Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre
103 Tibbereena Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday to Sunday 9am to 2pm
Ewing Real Estate
135 Maitland Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm
Narrabri Vision Splendid
99 Maitland Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Lisa Dee’s Boutique
110 Maitland Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday 9am to 12:30pm
Narrabri & District Community Aid Service Inc
53-55 Maitland Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm (closed between 12pm –1pm)
Hennessy Real Estate
125 Maitland Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Summit Community Services
2/116 Barwan Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm (closed between 1pm – 2pm)
The Courier office
60 Maitland Street, Narrabri
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Wee Waa Newsagency and Gift Shop
80 Rose Street, Wee Waa
Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4pm
Saturday to Sunday 8am to 12pm
JMW Real Estate
1/71 Rose St, Wee Waa
Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm
GIFT IDEAS
Children:
Bluey
Lego
Sports equipment
Hair accessories
Squishmallow
Barbie
Craft kits
Board games
School bag
Lunch box
Farm animals
Dolls
Trucks
Beach towels
Sleeping bags
Teens:
Colour-in mindfulness
Toiletry bag
Stick on nails
Nail polish
Skateboard
Duffel bags
Home fitness equipment
Sports equipment
Movie tickets
Female parent/carer:
Candle
Reed diffusers
Face mask
Hair tools or accessories
Body pamper packs
Hair dresser gift card
Handbag
Wallet
Clutch
Gardening tools
Male parent/carer:
BBQ equipment
Fishing kit
Torch
Headphones
Mini tool kit
Socks
Speaker
Wallet
