Goodwill overflows

By Lia Bichel
CASEY residents have shown they are in the mood for giving this Christmas as two support services have been inundated with donations.
Managers of both Casey North Community Information and Support Services (CNCISS) and Cranbourne Information and Support Services (CISS) said they have been overwhelmed with the generosity from local residents to help others in need during the holidays.
CNCISS executive officer Susan Magee said recent reports indicated that the City of Casey had the highest number of people in mortgage stress, and the centre was seeing more people seeking assistance this year.
Ms Magee said she wanted to thank the community for their support.
“The help that we are able to provide families through the generosity of this community has brought a tear to more than one eye,” Ms Magee said.
“Our programs to help those in our community who are struggling to make ends meet have been well supported by so many. Donations of food and Christmas presents have been received from local schools, local churches, local business and individuals from our community that want to help people not as fortunate as themselves.”
Ms Magee said the Berwick Woodworkers provided beautiful handmade toys; the Berwick and District Benevolent Society, overseen by Bert Rae and his volunteers, had collected truckloads of goods and Casey councillors assisted with additional resources.
CISS manager Leanne Petrides said she had not only been overwhelmed with people’s generosity, but also at the breadth of donations the centre had received.
“We have received everything from money for specific programs like our Back to School programs, to toys to food hampers. We have received more donations than other years,” Ms Petrides said.
“Cranbourne has a real spirit about it. Even though people are doing it really hard this Christmas, we have a number of diverse groups from all walks of life and individuals who want to help. There have also been some people who used the centre last year and who don’t need it this year who have dropped on items because they wanted to give back to their community.”
Ms Petrides said many Casey residents were in need of food, money and other items due to financial restraints.
“There has been a lot of people who have lost work hours and their income has decreased; people who pay a huge percentage of income on their housing costs, parents who have massive costs for their children’s school payments and parents who are feeling the pressures of Christmas to provide something special for their kids,” Ms Petrides said.
While both centres have received a number of donations, they are still in need of more.
“We are totally reliant on donations from the public and we never say no to donations,” Ms Petrides said.
“There are about 40 families a day coming to the centre just for our emergency relief program, food vouchers and gifts. Then, on top of that, there is an increased demand on financial counselling and counselling. It’s a hard time for a lot of people.”
Anyone wanting more information on how do donate can call Casey North Community Information and Support Services on 9705 6699 or Cranbourne Information and Support Services on 5996 3333.