Berry Community Preschool has joined other Berry community groups and businesses to bring some cheer to homeless people in the Shoalhaven this year.
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The preschool is one of a number of drop off centres for donations for the annual Trolley Drive, part of the Berry Merry Christmas Parade taking place on December 2 at 5pm on Queen Street, Berry.
People can drop non perishable food items and Christmas treats into the trolleys which are dotted all around Berry.
The trolleys will then be decorated, pushed in the parade, and donated to the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub.
Julie Bugden from the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub said all donations are much-appreciated.
“For the past two years the Berry Trolley Drive has helped all our clients with generous amounts of food, cash donations to make hampers to overcome the stress of Christmas and putting food on the table,” she said.
“Last Christmas one family comes to mind. This distressed man came to the hub, he was a husband and father who had lost his job after the workplace closed down.
“At this time this family of five, his wife and three young children, were living on a week to week basis, paying a high rent and just making ends meet.
“With the risk of maybe losing their rental property, having no local family support, his main concern was for his children and the expectations of Christmas. The Berry Trolley Drive gave this family and many others food for Christmas and toys for Christmas.”
Organiser of the Trolley Drive Michelle Sullivan thanked everyone for showing support behind the initiative.
“It’s heartwarming to see local businesses and community get behind an event such as this,” she said.
“It is easy to get caught up in the glitz and excitement of Christmas and forget that for some in our community this time of year brings with it worry and concern about where presents will come from, for others simply not knowing how they will place food on the table. We appreciate all donations, every donation makes a difference to someone you will never meet, but who greatly appreciates it.”
The Trolley Drive has been growing each year and this year the organisers hope to have 50 trolley loads of donations being pushed in the parade.
For details about how you can donate or for local donation points see www.berrymerrychristmas.org.au