FOR a quarter of a century UnitingCare Bendigo and retail giant Target have been working together to put a smile on the faces of children at Christmas.
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From modest beginnings, the partnership has grown to the point where last year it provided toys, books and vouchers to some 750 children in the Bendigo region.
Local service providers refer families experiencing financial difficulty as a result of poor health, unemployment, mental illness, disability or family violence to UnitingCare for assistance.
Presents can be left at the Giving Tree at Target, or dropped off at the emergency relief centre in Forest Street. Financial donations are also appreciated.
UnitingCare volunteer Angela Draper said she remembers helping one family that on the eve of Christmas were left with crippling medical bills after the father was injured in an accident and had to be helicoptered out of Bendigo.
“We were able to support the family with food, a Christmas hamper and gifts for all the children,” she said.