Waimate is truly a town that cares. It was a special Christmas for 48 families who watched their children excitedly tear the wrapping paper from Christmas gifts donated to Mayoress Lyn’s Christmas Child initiative. Thanks to the generosity of the community, 106 children experienced a Christmas Day that was much brighter than it may have been.
Community Link coordinated the delivery of the parcels to selected parents and caregivers in December. Staff and volunteers were met with hugs, smiles, tears and expressions of deep gratitude, amazement and great relief.
There are many different circumstances that put strain on families as the year draws to a close with the cost-of-living crisis being exacerbated in some instances by illness or unemployment.
“Leading up to Christmas, a lot of the families we saw were stressed about how they were going to get through with many struggling just to cover living expenses,” says Jakki Guilford from Community Link. “This year, 62% of those who received gifts were families seeking support from us for the first time. Christmas Child meant that even though parents and caregivers are doing it tough, their children had a wonderful Christmas. The sense of relief was palpable.”
This was the ninth year of Christmas Child and every year Mayoress Lyn is moved by the kindness shown by businesses and individuals. “I want to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated,” she says.
As one of the parents put it, “it’s just amazing... and it really matters!”
