Almost 600 Christmas gift were donated by the Camden community for this year’s Christmas Gift Giving Tree appeal to help those in need.
Big Yellow Umbrella (also known as Camden Community Connections) distributed 580 gifts to people living in the Camden area facing financial and personal difficulties.
Camden Mayor Lara Symkowiak praised the community’s effort.
“These gifts can make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing hardship at Christmas time,” Cr Symkowiak said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The generosity of our community is inspirational and is the true spirit of Christmas.’’[/social_quote]
The gifts were donated at six locations in the Camden area including libraries, the Camden Civic Centre and council’s administration building in Oran Park.
Spring Farm Public School donated a number of gifts as well as Mount Annan Christian College which donated more than 340 gifts to the appeal.
Narellan Rotary Club donated a number of gifts and the Narellan Knitting Group created Santa doilies for the elderly in nursing units in Narellan and Camden.
Navigate Insurance sponsored the wrapping day to purchase the wrapping paper, wool for knitters and a barbecue lunch for all the volunteers.
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Camden Council recently celebrated the efforts of more than 225 volunteers at the annual Mayor’s volunteer thank you reception.
The event was attended by community members from 55 groups, committees and organisations in the Camden area.
“Council is fortunate to have a large number of residents who generously volunteer their time at the Visitor Information Centre, Bush Care groups, libraries, events such as Paws in the Park and the Youth Council to name a few,” Cr Symkowiak said.
“Our local government area is also fortunate to have a large number of residents who so generously volunteer their time with local service clubs including Rotary, Quota and the Lions Club, which play an important part in our community and work to better our local area and the lives of our residents.
“Volunteers contribute enormously to the community dedicating time and skills to help improve our local area.
“Without them, many services and projects would not be possible,” she said.
“According to ABS statistics, volunteers work approximately 743 million hours each year and the hours our volunteers dedicate to the Camden LGA would significantly contribute to this number,” the mayor said.
Information about opportunities to volunteer for any of council’s groups and organisations can be found on the Camden Council website, www.camden.nsw.gov.au
