The Collie Veteran Car Club spread Christmas cheer over the weekend when they delivered 213 gifts from The Smith Family to 104 local families who do it tough over the Christmas and new year period.
On Sunday morning, December 16, vintage cars left the CWA Hall filled with toy and book packages to deliver to local children.
In WA the gifts are packed by around 350 volunteers and delivered to over 2,000 children throughout nine communities in largely disadvantaged areas.
The Smith Family WA general manager Ian Moore said many families across the state were struggling with the effects of financial hardship brought on by accidents, illness or unemployment.
“I’ve seen firsthand over many years now how much joy the toy and book packs bring to children who would otherwise be going without. We’re thrilled that so many generous West Australians continue to get behind this effort to share their Christmas giving and help these children look forward to a better new year,” he said.
Reannon Stephen said her family were very thankful for the presents.
“We find it very handy because my partner and I struggle at Christmas time,” Ms Stephen said.
“We are all very grateful for the gifts and having the help. I am so thankful to the Collie community for their donations and to The Smith Family, the kids love receiving their book and toy pack.”
The Smith Family Collie program manager Diane Blout said while the charities focus was on providing long-term educational support for disadvantaged children, giving toys and books at Christmas was central to their history.
“It’s important for the families that can’t afford to buy gifts for their kids for Christmas, and it’s also important because it’s where The Smith Family started from. It’s great to be able to continue on with our educational support but it’s equally important to keep that tradition and value of gift giving going,” she said.
“It’s great to see the kids receiving gifts, but it’s also great having the car club on board and doing something special for those kids.”
Collie Veteran Car Club secretary Hamish Pipe said this was the fifth year the club has offered to help deliver the gifts.
“It puts a lot of big smiling faces on the kids that come to the door to receive the gifts. Some families must be really struggling at this time of year and so it really seems to cheer people up a lot.”
