By MELISSA MEEHAN
CHRISTMAS time for many is a time of celebration and giving, but for some others it brings a world of stress and financial pressure.
Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) manager Tania Bevan knows about those pressures too well.
For many of her clients, just buying their children a gift from Santa is too much.
That’s why the DRERS Giving Tree has been in the Belgrave Library for the past 13 years, and this year is no different.
“All people have to do is take a tag off the tree and buy a present according to the tag,” Ms Bevan said.
“Then bring the present back, unwrapped and put it under the tree.”
Clients of DRERS then attend a day where they can choose a gift to give to their loved ones.
“These gifts are going to locals and are only available to clients of DRERS.”
Ms Bevan said there was always a positive response to the tree, but they almost always struggled with gifts for teenagers.
“We’ve found people say it’s hard to buy for a teenager, but whether it be a music gift card or something similar, it is going to be appreciated,” she said.
“Those donations can be given to the staff at the library or at the front desk at DRERS”.
Presents need to be returned to the tree by 12 December.
