Appeal makes the connection

THE launch of Connections UnitingCare’s Christmas Food and Gift Appeal will provide an extra helping hand for those in need in Cardinia Shire.
Eastern Victoria Region MP Edward O’Donohue helped the organisation launch its annual appeal in Pakenham on Friday.
Last year the annual Christmas appeal supplied more than 6000 gifts and 600 hampers to families in need during the festive season and this year organisers are hoping to provide even more for the community.
Donating the first gifts under the tree at the office in Pakenham, Mr O’Donohue said community organisations such as Connections were particularly important at this time of year for people who are struggling.
“Pakenham and the surrounding corridor is experiencing significant growth which is placing pressure on a range of service providers, including those for people who are in vulnerable and in challenging situations,” he said.
“It is wonderful that Connections can offer this extra assistance at a time of year when everyone, particularly children, deserve to have a smile on their face.
“I urge anyone in the local community who is able to spare an extra gift or some tins of food to donate it to this wonderful appeal.”
Connections’s manager of community relations Matt Clear said the beauty of the appeal was that the food and presents go back to people in the community who need it most while community relations officer Kirrilee Torney said the presents and hampers would be delivered in the lead up to Christmas Day.
“The community has been really generous,” Ms Torney said.
CEO Angela Forbes said the appeal delivers important Christmas items directly to those who are most in need with case workers, sometimes hand-in-hand with their clients, selecting items that have been generously donated by members of the community to give to their family members on Christmas Day.
“We are asking our local community to help us again this year so that we can spread the Christmas cheer to as many individuals and families as we can,” she said.
“We are in desperate need of non-perishable food items and gifts for newborns and teenagers.”
Donations can be dropped off at the Connections Pakenham Office at 42a Main Street or at any Connections offices located across south-east Melbourne.
For more information about the work of Connections or for office listings, visit connections.org.au.