Share the spirit of giving through Christmas Giving Trees

Christmas Giving Trees are up in all of Bass Coast Shire Council's Customer Service Centres, taking donations to help local families in need this Christmas.

This annual program is coordinated by the Combined Welfare Group which includes local churches, community groups and charities such as The Salvation Army and the St Vincent De Paul Society.

This year council is asking for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for all ages, gift cards and non-perishable food items.
Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead encouraged the community to get involved in this program again.

"We've been working together with the Combined Welfare Group for over 20 years and it's great to see how the Bass Coast community come together each year to support one another," Cr Halstead said.

"We want to help ensure that Christmas is a special day for everyone and knowing that your donation goes toward helping someone in your own community makes it just a little bit more special.

"The rising cost of living has affected so many people, if you're in the position to make a donation please do it to help someone who may not be as lucky at this time of year," Cr Halstead encouraged.

"Every donation no matter how small goes towards making someone's day enjoyable. Christmas shortbread, biscuits, canned vegetables, rice and pasta are just a few examples of the small, low-cost items that may mean a family can enjoy a special Christmas meal that they might not have been able to afford otherwise."

Christmas Giving Trees are on display in Council's Customer Service Centres in Cowes, Grantville, Inverloch and Wonthaggi. Donations will be accepted up until Tuesday, December 9 at all Centres except for Wonthaggi which is until Thursday December 11.