AV’s Annual Toy and Food Appeal was especially challenging last year but the determination of our teams and donors to deliver Christmas joy to every child in care shone through. We thank all our schools and donors for their generosity and for ensuring the year ended on a high.
Thanks to the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria initiative, extra community support workers were available to assist in the lengthy efforts to collect, sanitise, package and deliver hundreds of toys and hampers across vast distances while under the health restrictions. Our staff thoroughly enjoyed working on a project that contributes to making life a little brighter for children, parents and carers.
Kerri Miles, community support worker said, “They were so appreciative; some families acknowledged this would not have happened without the donations from some wonderful people and companies. It makes you realise there are so many caring, kind and thoughtful people in this world”.
One young girl who received a Christmas present was particularly delighted when she found out her new toy – a doll – had the same long black ponytails, pretty pink outfit and skin colour as her. Her case manager Nic said “She was over the moon. She and the doll looked like twins!” Her family were very appreciative and said she now takes the doll to kinder and it has supported her in interacting with other children and overcoming her social anxiety.
