Christmas at the Salvos
The Salvation Army on Sydney’s north shore has been providing hope at Christmas time since its inception, through community carolling, the distribution of gifts and hampers, and Christmas visitation.
Pictured right is the first Christmas gift distribution to nursing homes in 1975 (P. Simmons, W.Whittaker, Major Cathcart, Lady Mayoress Reidy.)
In 1989, the service was extended to include hampers for the Royal North Shore Hospital for relatives of critical and intensive care patients. Today, The Salvation Army in Chatswood operates the Christmas Cheer Centre every year, allowing parents in need to choose presents for their children – brand new gifts they cannot afford to purchase themselves. All clients also receive a Christmas hamper filled with food and special treats.
VOLUNTEERS GO THE EXTRA MILE
A big part of Christmas for most Australians is about being with family. Every year, The Salvation Army on Sydney’s North Shore aims to give people in the community who may be lonely or disadvantaged the opportunity to share in the joy of Christmas.
North Shore retirees Merv and Pamela Simmons donate two-to-three weeks of their time each December, helping with the Christmas Cheer Centre that is set up at Chatswood Salvation Army.
“Every year we say this is the last year, but we are doing it again this year!” says Merv. “There is a need and we want to be part of helping give to that need. Christmas, especially, is an extension of that and a time to show concern for others.”
For the last 10 years, Merv and Pamela, with a team of others, sort through donations and carefully place gifts and toys in the right place in the makeshift shop.
“A toy truck isn’t going to be suitable for a 14-year-old girl so the toys are placed on shelves according to age and genre,” says Merv.
Once the Christmas Cheer Centre is set up, clients arrive to choose presents for their children – gifts they cannot afford to purchase themselves. Pamela and Merv are there to support them and make sure everyone receives a Christmas hamper filled with food and special treats that most families doing it tough wouldn’t ordinarily be able to buy.
For Pamela and Merv, Christmas is family. “We’ve always made Christmas special in our family and part of that is giving to our community so that anyone, even if they are alone, can feel part of something at Christmas time.”
This story first appeared on The Salvation Army's my.Salvos website in 2012
