Local mum organises Bridgetown Christmas hamper appeal with daughter in the spirit of giving

A Bridgetown mum is calling on the community to support a Christmas hamper appeal initiative, with little hands at the ready to spread the spirit of giving. Hamper co-ordinator Carri McPherson said the idea for the appeal was to create a Christmas tradition with her daughter focused on giving to others. Ms McPherson said when she was a child, hampers were a welcome treat. “I grew up in, say, under the poverty line, on the poor side of things and hampers and such like that, were really welcomed,” she said. While in a “good position” in her life today, Ms McPherson said holidays could be a time when people “feel that pinch” financially. “Life is expensive and the cost of living is really expensive,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine how hard it is, especially with the cost of living right now. “There are all these extra things that would be so nice to have, and it’s just unattainable for some people. I could only imagine people who are living like I was living as a child.” Ms McPherson said it was her first year organising the appeal in Bridgetown, and she has included her daughter, Aaydha, in the hamper-making process. “My daughter’s two-and-a-half, and so this is the first Christmas where we’re really getting into it. She’s really excited for it,” Ms McPherson. “I thought it was a good opportunity to teach her the real meaning of Christmas . . . It’ll just be as many as we can create. Because it’s my first year, I have got no gauge on what would be an appropriate number to hit for.” Ms McPherson said people had the option of creating their own hampers, to be dropped off at the Bridgetown Hub before December 16. “Go simple. It just has to be dry food for storage purposes, and little Christmas treats,” she said. Alternatively, people can donate to the cause — and together with Aaydha, they will create a hamper. “If providing an entire hamper full of food is out of your means at all, then we’re welcoming individual donations, and we’ll put the hampers together,” she said. “We’re going to have an open day at the hub where people can just come. “ The open day will be held on December 20 for collection. “I’ll be sitting there with all the hampers, and it’ll be first in, first served,” she said. To get in contact with Ms McPherson, email carri.mcpherson@outlook.com or phone 0499 411 774.