Charity work
Warragul resident Krista Mountford has led yet another successful charity initiative – this time resulting in 400 hampers for locals in need at Christmas.
Krista was overjoyed at the community support she received after organising a Reverse Advent Calendar initiative in conjunction with Baw Baw Food Relief.
“It started off small. But it just sort of spread and grew,” Krista said. “I never dreamed we’d get 400 hampers done.”
Having been inspired by a similar initiative in Ballarat, Krista started to organise the Reverse Advent Calendar project in Baw Baw.
On each day in November, Krista asked registered participants to place a pantry staple or Christmas item in a box or basket. The listed items included everyday items such as tea bags, soup, long life milk, tins of tuna and cereal as well as Christmas treats such as bon bons, chocolates and kid’s colouring books.
After personalising with a card or decorations, the hamper was dropped off to Baw Baw Food Relief who saw it dispatched to those in need before Christmas.
Krista said initially 50 people registered to make a hamper, before growing to 100 and later 250 people. With some people contributing multiple hampers, she said more than 400 hampers were received and each made a wonderful difference to the Christmas of a local person or family.
“It was really, really exciting. I think last year was a tough year for most people.”
“We had hampers come in from the local police, Brownies/Cubs groups, local real estate agents, the council and many more,” she said. “But the largest proportion of donations came from local families who wanted to make someone else’s Christmas that little bit brighter.”
Of special note, some locals who had been recipients of Christmas hampers in the past, were thrilled to give back and join the initiative.
She expressed gratitude for each hamper contribution as well as support received from local businesses and organisations.
Krista was certainly busy last year with a variety of community fundraisers. She created 50 afternoon tea hampers to raise $1450 for the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund in August after a similar initiative raised $1500 for the Cancer Council in May.
She also organised an annual girl’s weekend away this month. The sixth annual event saw 25 women attend to enjoy women’s health and wellness activities. All profits went to charity.