Uniting Kangaroo Flat and Bendigo are calling for donations to their annual Christmas toy and gift drive to help put a smile on the faces of local children.
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Federal member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters donated a number of gifts to get the toy drive started and encouraged locals to do the same.
"For a number of central Victorians, Christmas is a time of stress and financial hardship," Ms Chesters said.
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"Bendigo is a generous community and we take care of our own.
"Together, we can help make Christmas special for a local family worse off than our own."
Uniting Kangaroo Flat emergency relief team leader Max Blume said government payments have meant there has been less demand on the service in recent months, but he fears that will change in December.
"This year has been such a shocking year," Mr Blume said.
"The toy drive is going to help us immensely because we wouldn't have had much at all.
"Within the next few weeks, I think we will be swamped with requests for Christmas presents and food."
Each year, Uniting requests donations of unwrapped, new toys for ages birth to 16 and non-perishable or specialty Christmas food items.
Due to the coronavirus restrictions, the drop off locations will be Uniting Emergency Relief centres in Kangaroo Flat and Bendigo.
Donation drop offs are open in Kangaroo Flat on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm and in Bendigo on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.
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