Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Veronica Dowman, encourages residents to give generously to the Christmas Giving Tree Program

Bass Coast Shire Council is hoping the community will again give generously to the Christmas Giving Trees and help disadvantaged families. Christmas Giving Trees will be at all of our Customer Service Centres for members of the community to place gifts under before 9 December.

All gifts left under the Christmas Giving Tree will be distributed by The Combined Welfare Group to Bass Coast families in need.
Last year the group distributed over 165 hampers and presents. Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Veronica Dowman, said the community had strongly supported the Giving Tree in previous years.

“We will have trees in our Customer Service Centres in Cowes, Grantville and Wonthaggi,” said Cr Dowman.

“We are asking people to bring in their gifts before 9 December, so there is time to distribute the presents to families that need them.  Any gifts received after this date will be held over until next year.

Cr Dowman said even though presents are needed for family members of all ages, there is always a shortage of presents or gift vouchers suitable for children aged 8-12.

“I’d like to stress that this isn’t a call for second-hand goods. The gifts left under the tree need to be unwrapped new presents.
This is the sixth year that Council has worked with The Combined Welfare Group, consisting of representatives from the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Davey House and churches from Wonthaggi and Inverloch, to promote the Christmas Giving Tree.

“The Christmas Giving Tree is one way we can help local families experiencing financial hardship to enjoy their Christmas.

 “I encourage people to give generously and help make Christmas a special day for everyone in Bass Coast,” Cr Dowman said.