Helping hand: Salvation Army captain Karyn Wishart (far right) with some of the people who assisted with the Wishing Tree Appeal.
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The 2022 Salvation Army Wishing Tree Appeal has been labelled a huge success.
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The Salvation Army and Kmart collaborated for the appeal, which aimed to collect donations of gifts and distribute them to those in need.
Salvation Army captain Karyn Wishart said the response was overwhelming.
“It was a wonderful time, with all the donations the community was giving, including monetary donations and gifts under the Wishing Tree in Kmart,” Ms Wishart said.
A total of 270 families were assisted in the appeal.
Lego, electronics, dolls, toy trucks, books, soft toys and sporting equipment were just some of things donated.
Generosity: Salvation Army captain Karyn Wishart with some of the many gifts donated by the Greater Shepparton community.
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Businesses too got in on the act, with gifts or monetary donations.
Among the gifts were food hampers, which were of special use to the Salvation Army.
“There were a few families affected by domestic violence and we are able to help assist these families who were displaced with these food and gift hampers,” Ms Wishart said.
Despite the multiple crises, including floods, COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis, Ms Wishart said there had not been a dramatic increase in those seeking help.
Though Ms Wishart said there were many people who helped, she made a special point of thanking Shepparton resident Noah Moore, who has partnered with the Salvation Army for Christmas time for the past six years and gone to businesses to ask if they were willing to donate food for hampers.
“Because of his hard work and the community businesses involved we were also able to connect to some families who were highly affected from the floods to give them some special food for Christmas day,” Ms Wishart said.
As for the rest of the Shepparton community that gave to the 2022 Wishing Tree Appeal, Ms Wishart had nothing but praise.
“I would love to say a huge thank you to the Greater Shepparton community, you have always shown a generosity of spirit, and kind support throughout the year,” she said.
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