Salvos spreading Christmas cheer

While Christmas can be a magical time for many families, the Kwinana Salvation Army is working round the clock to brighten the lives of those less fortunate.

The Kwinana corps recently launched its Christmas Cheer drive, which aims to support children, adults, seniors and families who are unable to afford gifts at Christmas and beyond.

Kwinana Salvation Army captain Peter Jones said the number of people in the community feeling the pinch was rising.

“Every year in Kwinana the need increases and it’s definitely getting tougher and tougher for families out there due to the rising cost of utilities, rent and fuel,” he said

“It’s not just people without homes or jobs these days, it’s also regular families that are feeling the strain and find themselves struggling at this time of year.”

When the drive launched last month, the Kwinana store handed out 50 Christmas Cheer forms and Mr Jones said there had been a steady flow of people who were asking for help.

The Kwinana Salvation Army will use the toys donated through the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal and other drop-off locations to set up a toy shop.

Captain Erica Jones said giving people the chance to choose their gifts was a really important part of the program.

“A four-year-old girl might want a basketball instead of a Barbie so it means a lot to these families that they can select the right toys,” she said.

“The only thing we ask is that people donate new toys because that makes it that little bit more special.

“We try and bring a little bit of love at this time of year so people know that they’re not alone.

“We want to thank our partners in Kmart and more generally we have lots of organisations and companies that have arranged toy drives and food drives.”