Monday was 'hamper day' at the Margaret River Community Centre, the annual day when food hampers and children's gifts are distributed to locals who need a little extra cheer.
A whopping 120 hampers were given out, with 305 adults and children benefitting from the program this year.
Hampers include a selection of pantry staples, fresh fruit and vegetables, a chicken or vegetarian roast and a selection of Christmas goodies.
The joy and gratitude parents expressed in receiving these extras, really needs to be conveyed to those who have given generously. Thank you Margaret River, what an amazing community.
- Leanne Sutton
"We apply for funding from Lotterywest to purchase the base hampers and then rely on donations from the community to fill the hampers out," said Sally Hays, chairperson of the Community Centre.
"While we received additional funding this year through COVID-19 allocations, we are also in awe of how generous the community has been, making donations at IGA and Coles. Margs Café also collected toys for our gift room.
"There are a number of generous souls in town who make annual cash donations to the Community Centre and these boost the program, along with donations from local clubs, schools and groups."
St Vincent De Paul, Lions Margaret River, Cowaramup PS, Margaret River Community Centre for Children, Margaret River Golf Club and staff from the AMR Shire all contributed this year.
The Community Centre started distributing Christmas hampers in 1994 with the aim of bringing a bit of cheer into recipients' lives during the festive season.
"Staff at Riverfresh IGA are very helpful coordinating the orders and deliveries and we have many volunteers involved in the logistics of the day," said Leanne Sutton, coordinator of the hamper program.
"The 'Boomies' sewed 120 Boomerang Bags. We had 13 adults and their children helping with packing bags and making gift cards on Monday and a number of other volunteers helping with distribution and clean up yesterday."
Ms Sutton said the centre was grateful to people who donated toys and gift vouchers for local stores.
"The joy and gratitude parents expressed in receiving these extras, really needs to be conveyed to those who have given generously. Thank you Margaret River, what an amazing community."
