Staff at Castlemaine Health went above and beyond for this year’s annual
‘Christmas Tree Project’ food drive for Castlemaine Housing Service
donating an unprecedented amount of food to assist the region’s
homeless.
This is the sixth year the staff-led initiative, supported
by management and all departments at Castlemaine Health, including
staff, doctors patients and visitors has been conducted.
The
Christmas Tree Project coordinator Lisa Jackson said while the team is
focused on physical health and wellbeing, they are also thinking about
building a resilient and strong community particularly in the holiday
season when household resources can be stretched.
“This year we
managed to pack more than 50 hampers! What a great result. These will
now be delivered to our community by the housing team from CHIRP.
“It
is important to us at The Christmas Tree Project, that we do not forget
those experiencing hardship in our own backyard,” Lisa said.
Castlemaine
Housing Service manager Michael McMahon thanked volunteers and all
staff and patients at Castlemaine Health for their generosity.
Michael said the hampers will bring a smile to the faces to those facing hardship this Christmas.
“Some families have spent money on Christmas presents to make it a special time for the kids and left themselves short on food.
“We
also hold on to a few hampers to support people throughout the year.
People may have been forced out of home suddenly due to family conflict
and find themselves in a motel or staying with friends. The hampers
provide them with the essentials or some food to share so they don’t
feel like a burden,” he said.
