Woodend Neighbourhood House will be able to help more locals this Christmas, thanks to a generous donation from the craft groups at Gemlife Woodend.<\/p>\n
Susan Lawson runs Gemlife\u2019s weekly mosaic class, and the group has been busy producing mosaic pots, plates and decorative ornaments all year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had lots of interest in our mosaics, so we decided to set up a craft market to sell our wares,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We invited several other crafters to join us and were appreciative of their participation. We wanted to find a way to support our local community, so when we saw the Reverse Advent Calendar Appeal at the Woodend Neighbourhood House, we knew this was the perfect cause for our donation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The craft market raised $850, which will go directly to supporting those in the Woodend community in need this Christmas.<\/p>\n
This is the second year the Woodend Neighbourhood House has run a Reverse Advent Calendar Appeal, with more than 40 boxes going out to generous locals to fill.<\/p>\n
Unlike a regular advent calendar where the focus is on receiving a treat every day, the reverse advent calendar encourages participants to place an item a day into the box in the lead up to Christmas (non-perishable food, toiletries, toys, books, or a Christmas treat).<\/p>\n
After 20 days, the filled reverse advent calendar is returned to the Woodend Neighbourhood House where it is shared with people in the community experiencing food insecurity and hardship.<\/p>\n
Woodend Neighbourhood House manager, Melissa Baker, said the local community had been generous with their donations.<\/p>\n
\u201cChristmas is traditionally a time for celebration, and we want to help as many people as possible enjoy the festive season,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The boxes we\u2019ve received so far are fantastic, and this cash donation from Gemlife Woodend will enable us to purchase more items to fill more reverse advent calendar boxes.<\/p>\n
“We never doubted the Woodend community in their generosity of spirit, and we are so grateful to everyone who has supported our Reverse Advent Calendar Appeal this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not too late to get involved in the appeal, with the Woodend Neighbourhood House taking donations up until December 20.<\/p>\n
The Neighbourhood House also continues to take referrals for those in the community experiencing food insecurity and hardship.<\/p>\n
For more information about the Reverse Advent Calendar Appeal, stop by Woodend Neighbourhood House or call 5427 1845 Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm.<\/p>\n\n\n
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