By Mikayla van Loon
Another year, another Rotary Club of Lilydale Wishing Tree project has come to an end with an overwhelming amount of generosity and kindness from community and businesses.
Hundreds of presents gathered through the promotion and encouragement of businesses across the Yarra Ranges and beyond has again ensured smiles will grace the faces of young people who might have otherwise gone without this Christmas.
Despite demand increasing, project organiser Gerry Van Horick said the Rotary Club continues to be “blown away by the support” and giving only seems to increase alongside the need.
This year people were extra charitable, with presents exceeding expectations.
Not only did gifts for all ages come in in droves, so too did vouchers for those in their teenage years.
A major supporter of this was Lilydale Library which hosted its annual book sale, donating the money to the Wishing Tree.
“Everyone is just so generous and we’re happy to help because Rotary does such wonderful things for the community,” branch manager Robin Barden said.
Selling the books for a dollar an item, Robin said they were able to sell over 300 books this year.
While the bulk of the gifts went to Anchor Community Care and the Proactive Policing Unit, Gerry and Anne Van Horick have made deliveries to Anglicare and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service.
“They were a bit overwhelmed, and they said this will make such a difference, because the people are struggling to eat and to pay rent, and can’t even think about Christmas,” Gerry said.
“They specifically asked that we say a big thank you to all the people who supported the Wishing Tree.”
Leading Senior Constable Luke Egginton said over the next week he would be delivering the gifts to Uniting in Ringwood, the Lilydale Motor Inn, some caravan parks, Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service and individual families the unit might come across.
Anchor’s youth and homelessness services executive manager Leanne Nicholson said the whole team was so grateful for the ongoing support and kindness of Rotary and the community.
“Anchor is incredibly grateful for the amazing support from the local community in providing donations and to the Lilydale Rotary Club, in particular Anne and Gerry for their generous time and energy, ensuring all members of our community have a Merry Christmas,” she said.
“The ongoing support and donations make a significant impact to the young people, families and people experiencing homelessness that are connected with Anchor.
“Christmas is an important part of our year and the ability to celebrate it and enjoy the day is important for everyone and without this support this wouldn’t happen. It is fantastic we can create this opportunity together.”
An extra special donation from Heritage and Heritage Funerals this year has already brought smiles and joy to the adults involved in this project.
A large white fluffy toy dog named Peggy was the cherished companion of a lady who lived with dementia. When she passed, the family asked that Peggy be given to the right home.
Through the Wishing Tree, Peggy now sits in pride of place at Anchor, with the aim of providing comfort to children and adults who enter the space.
