By Corey Everitt
Purton Place Pre-Loved Shop’s 2023 toy drive is in full swing, helping to spread Christmas joy to local families.
The Christmas Toy Drive started on 1 November where the community is asked to donate preloved/lightly used or new toys, as well as any non-perishable foods to the store for a big Christmas giveaway.
The toy drive has been an essential part of Purton Place whose overall objective all-year-round is to give direct, immediate support to those in need and surviving from family violence with no questions asked.
It aims to provide toys for kids, but also welcomes non-perishable foods to help for basic food relief as well.
Christmas can be a tough time for vulnerable families who are experiencing reaching basic needs.
No one should be left out of Christmas and owner of Purton Place, Angel Chichi is determined to make sure of that.
So far, the community is fully on board with the drive.
“It’s been overwhelming – a whole room full of toys already,” Angel said.
“It’s been huge, I’m not really an asker, we try to live by our means but a local posted about it online and it went everywhere.”
The drive has received a large response, with many businesses and community groups signing on to be collection points across town such as LJ Hooker Pakenham, Bambini Early Learning Centre, Gift Haven Pakenham, Robert Gordon Pottery, Jason Wood’s office, High Horse Cafe, Pakenham Radiators, In Fine Fettle Pakenham, White Ribbon, Outlook and many more.
Local businesses like Toyworld and Little Munchkins Boutique on Main Street directly donated a large sum of toys.
A local has reportedly donated 400 beanie babies, while another donated a Barbie dollhouse worth $300.
While the response has been large, more donations, big or small, are welcome.
Purton Place relief service is 24/7 all-year-around, families in emergency do not get turned back.
During Christmas, they still need to provide immediate relief for struggling families, while also bulking up enough for the toy drive.
The more donations, the more relief there will be for locals, whether it’s for a family in immediate need or ensuring a child feels the joy this Christmas.
Donations will finish on Monday 11 December, any donation is welcome, big or small.
“People think it needs to be new, but generally we ask for toys that have been lightly played with, new is great, but we can accept second-hand,” Angel explained.
Non-perishable foods are also welcome.
The Christmas Giveaway will be at Purton Place on Sunday 17 December.
“On the Sunday, the whole shop will be filled, people don’t have to register or tell their story, they can just come in and take what they need.
“We just want to spread the joy and make sure there are presents under the tree.”
