Hampers delight

Manjimup’s St Vincent de Paul Society and combined churches ran their Christmas appeal over the weekend, gifting hampers full of donations from the community for those in need this festive season.

Volunteers from across the Shire of Manjimup spent Thursday afternoon at St Joseph’s Parish Centre packing 78 hampers with roughly $100 worth of food and toys each.

St Vincent de Paul conference member and appeal co-ordinator Tracy Lambert said the response from the community has been incredible.

“Every time we put the call out, the town responds,” she said.

“If it’s not with a gift for a child, some food, it’s with their hands doing the work.

“It’s locals helping locals, that’s the sort of town we live in, it’s fantastic.”

114 children visited the centre and picked out toys as well as stocking fillers, with families able to gift wrap items on the day or take home wrapping paper for themselves. Mrs Lambert said there were spare hampers and urged anyone who found themselves in serious need to call St Vincent de Paul on 9777 1014 before Thursday and she would make sure they had something in time for Christmas.