Hamper loads of cheer

By Rebecca Fraser
FOR some Casey residents Christmas will just be like any other day.
That is why Berwick’s Salvation Army Church has been busy preparing Christmas hampers for those who simply can’t afford to celebrate the festive season.
Captain Craig Exon of the Salvation Army Church said over the past few weeks they had put together 180 hampers, up from the 130 hampers last Christmas.
Mr Exon said the Commonwealth Bank as part of its ‘Operation Plum Pudding’ initiative had donated 60 hampers.
He said that many local families would not have a Christmas without these hampers or other charitable donations.
Mr Exon invited local residents to contact the church and donate non-perishable food items or toys to help spread some Christmas cheer in the community.
As a father of two young children, the Berwick resident said he understood just how important Christmas was to children and families.
“The hampers mean that people can actually have a Christmas, as for some families Christmas is just another day,” Mr Exon said.
“Some families just scrimp and save and just cannot do it.”
Mr Exon said the hampers would be given out on Friday, 16 December.
“Most of the time when people come in they are blown away and are really grateful,” he said.
“It is a fantastic feeling to be able to give people the opportunity to have a Christmas.”
Berwick’s Salvation Army has also been busy performing Christmas carols and spreading the festive spirit at many local nursing homes.
The church will hold its carols service on Sunday, 18 December at 10am and its Christmas Day service at 9.30am.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Salvation Army hampers can go to the Salvation Army in Berwick, on the corner of Park Hill and Ernst Wanke Drive, or phone the office on 9704 1940.