Volunteers from the Salvation Army in East Kilbride are once again working hard to make sure vulnerable children don’t go without this Christmas.
More than 600 local children living in poverty woke up with a gift to unwrap after an overwhelming response to last year’s Toy Appeal.
And despite huge financial pressures facing families this year amid the cost of living crisis and the fallout from the Covid pandemic, the number of families needing a helping hand this Christmas is down slightly with an estimated 550 children in need.
A mountain of donated toys and gifts are currently piling up at the Murray base to make sure that no child in East Kilbride will face a bleak Christmas.
But organiser Carol Gillies, who has ran the appeal for 13 years, believes that figure is set to skyrocket in 2023.
She said: “Strangely enough the numbers of families needing help are actually down slightly this year.
“It could be because there are other charities and appeals people have got involved with, but I’m anticipating next year the numbers will be much higher because the cost of living crisis will have hit by that point.
“Just now we have 400 children to support. The biggest we’ve had was 700 and that was during the last financial crisis - I think we’ll hit that again next year.”
Donations of new toys only are for children from birth to 16 years old.
A collection point has been set up at Nationwide in East Kilbride shopping centre and donations of new toys only can also be handed to the Salvation Army base at 25 Mid Park in The Murray.
Referrals come in from local schools and health visitors and can be received right up until Christmas Eve.
“The reason we work with the schools and the health visitors is because a lot of families have a financial need, not necessarily a social services need”, added Carol.
“So those families can often fall through the net. All it takes is for someone to lose their job.
“This is one of the most difficult things we have to do each year. The dream is to never have to do this because you want to get to the point there’s not a need, but there always is.
“It’s the best thing, but also the saddest thing we have to do.
“People appreciate it and if you can take the pressure off someone at this time of year then that’s what it’s all about.”
Captain Amanda Banner said the Salvation Army will help anyone who needs it, regardless of their faith.
“We are a church but we help people of all faiths and none”, she said.
“These days sometimes both parents are working and still can’t make ends meet because of low incomes and high bills.
“We see helping the community as an integral part of our faith which is why we do this appeal at Christmas and also why we’ve started our Wednesday Warmers - for anyone who needs a warm place and a hot bowl of soup.”
As well as toys, what the appeal is asking for this year are gifts like Oodies, gift sets, selection boxes and chocolate coins as well as new battery donations.
There is also a lack of gifts for boys aged eight and over which could come in the form of sports equipment, footballs, football training kits, table top tennis or skateboards and first-stage baby gifts like rattles, teethers and newborn toys.
Cash donations can be made but gift vouchers are welcomed.
Carol added: “So far we’ve had tons of donations through appeals at Greenhills Parish and Moncreiff Parish in East Kilbride and Trinity Parish in Strathaven.
“Trinity are an amazing support they showed up with three car loads of gifts - it was like Santa had come early.
“All going well the gifts will start being delivered from Friday, December 16, so ideally donations should be handed in by then, however the church will accept donations right up until Christmas Eve.”
South Lanarkshire College students and senior pupils at Duncanrig Secondary have lent their support by volunteering to bag pack. But more volunteers are always needed to sort through the mountain of generous donations.
If you can spare some time to help volunteer for this year’s toy appeal please contact the Salvation Army EK through their Facebook page or by calling the church on 01355 234366.
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