Olivia’s Place spreads Christmas cheer
A sharp increase of young families sought support during December, according to Warragul-based organisation Olivia’s Place.
Olivia’s Place reported its annual Christmas Appeal attracted a huge variety of toys, clothes and gifts donated for needy families. It enabled babies, toddlers, older children and parents to all be recipients of much needed gifts at Christmas.
Families were invited in to select their own gifts and books and expressed gratitude to the local community and Olivia’s Place for the opportunity.
Centre manager Kirsten Finger said in excess of $7700 of items and Christmas gifts were given to families in the week prior to Christmas.
With Olivia’s Place closed for two weeks over the Christmas period, there was also a rush to distribute baby items in time for families welcoming newborns during late December and into January.
An influx of preloved baby goods in late November enabled Olivia’s Place to meet most of the needs of local families.
“Thanks to the $10,000 funding received earlier in the year from The Andrews Foundation supporting our material aid program as well as $2000 towards the purchase of cots from the Drouin Family Hotel, we were able to meet any other needs that hadn’t arrived by way of donations,” said Ms Finger.
She emphasised that Christmas could be a difficult time for those who experiencing vulnerabilities at a time when they’re welcoming a baby.
“This can be even more exaggerated when the hardships experienced are related to the health of either the mother or the newborn,” she said.
“When the focus is on the person who is unwell, it can hinder the family’s ability to provide a happy or fun Christmas for any older children in the family, and this can significantly increase the stress already being experienced.”
One such local family with a very sick newborn was supported this Christmas.
“Thanks to this community, we were able to provide car restraint hire for six months…as well as a cot and Christmas gifts for the whole family,” said Ms Finger. “We have also received generous donations from individuals in our village that have enabled our provision of a baby monitor with integrated movement/breathing sensors and video, as well as a hospital grade double breast pump for mum and specialist feeding bottles needed for baby.”
With just two cots and no reversible car restraints left for families in 2018, further donations of these as preloved or new items are required.
To enquire about donating these items, email admin@oliviasplace.org.au or donate funds at www.givenow.com.au/oliviasplace.