By Tyler Wright
Hoping to surpass last year’s total of $20 thousand worth of goods donated to local charities across the region in 2021, Emerald Library will be taking part in the Casey Cardinia Libraries (CCL) Deliver Joy Christmas Drive once again this year.
Locals can drop into the library and donate non-perishable items including canned food, packets of spaghetti, toiletries and unwrapped toys, with staff thanking people for their charitable donation by clearing any damaged or lost books off their list.
This year, Emerald Library will be working with the Emerald Lions Club, who will then donate the items to locals in need.
“We all know that times are tough right now, especially during Christmas when there are some additional pressures,” Emerald Library’s Team Leader Jessica Nichols said.
“So to be able to help people during this time feels really great… we don’t see the families who receive the hampers because that’s not part of what we do, but we think encouraging a culture of giving is just as valuable.”
Narre Warren’s Bunjil Place Library and the Pakenham Library and Cardinia Mobile Library will all be taking part in this year’s Deliver Joy program, which will wrap up on Tuesday 20 December.
Ms Nichols said people are really generous and love giving at this time of year.
“Our visitors are primarily from Emerald, Cockatoo, Macclesfield, Avonsleigh, Selby and Menzies Creek…I have had a family come in once who didn’t know about Deliver Joy, when they saw the posters, they left the library, went to the supermarket and came back in with a bag full of goods,” she said.
“It’s so wonderful to see, and people doing it with their children as well; demonstrating to their children the importance of giving.”
Casey Cardinia Libraries CEO Beth Luppino said the library is a central hub for community, so it “makes sense for the library to be the place for people to donate goods in time for Christmas”.
“This is a win-win for everyone – donors have the chance to make a difference for others doing it tough, and also to clear any library charges they may have for lost items which provides a clean slate for the new year!,” Ms Luppino said.
Emerald Library is located 400A Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Emerald.
