Merry Christmas to one and all

The Christmas Present Room has been very busy and will close on Friday 20 December. Presents just keep coming in from the generosity of our wonderful Canberra community. It is very humbling to watch.

Approximately 50 families per day have come seeking gifts and hampers. Many families have said they are feeling some of the stress removed, and more Christmas joy, which is how it should be at this time of year.

Today a lovely young single parent with her two children attended the Centre in need of a Christmas hamper, a few gifts and groceries.

We spoke for some time and she explained that things had been tough with a recent relationship breakdown and both children having disabilities.

The SJC Team were able to emotionally support her and provide her with clothing, food, Christmas presents and a hamper.

She even decided to attend the St John’s Christmas Community Lunch and was very grateful, not just for the assistance offered, but the opportunity to stop and talk.

We also arranged for her to pop back into the Centre in the New Year to spend some time planning for 2020 in the hope that it will be a little smoother for her.

Our Emergency Relief Centre will be open until 2 pm Tuesday 24 December and then re-open at 9.30am on Tuesday 2 January 2020.

A reminder that our Christmas Day Community Lunch is on from 12 noon until 1.30pm in the St John’s Hall. Everyone is welcome. It is always a lovely day and a beautiful lunch.

Also in the coming months we need to restock our shelves after the ‘silly season.’ The following items would significantly help:

· Tinned fruit

· Pasta sauce

· Jam

· Honey

· Tinned Spaghetti

· Tinned vegetables, (peas & corn, beans)

· Oil 500ml

· Deodorants

· Chick peas

· 1litre Chicken stock

· Powdered milk

· Coffee 100g

· Tomato sauce

· Snacks for School Lunches (Small Fruit Packs etc.) - please no muesli bars.

Christmas Blessings from us all,

Sarah Murdoch

Executive Officer

Photo: We give thanks for all those who have generously put non-perishable items under the St John’s Care Christmas Giving Tree outside Woolworths, Majura Park.