COVID-19 won’t dampen the festive spirit this Christmas, with the tradition of Cohuna Christmas hampers continuing and residents having the opportunity to contribute to the cause.
The Combined Churches Cohuna Hampers Committee is organising its list of hamper recipients.
“Our goal is to reach as many people as we can right across the (Gannawarra) Shire, wherever they’re needed,” organiser and St Patrick’s Primary School Pyramid Hill chaplain Leiza Webb said.
While 250 hampers were prepared during last year’s packing day at Cohuna Uniting Church, there are always extras, with the 2019 final tally around 290 hampers.
Although things will be done differently this year, the Cohuna Hampers Committee is yet to complete its planning.
“It will be different but it will still be done with love,” committee member and Cohuna dairy farmer Di Bowles said.
While no food donations can be accepted due to COVID precautions, donors are able to make a financial contribution or give toys.
A new initiative involving schoolchildren has been introduced this year.
“We’ve asked primary schools and preschools to send in letters and bits of art so we can send them out with each Christmas blessing,” Ms Webb said.
The Gannawarra Toy Run is the next biggest contributor to the hamper drive after the Combined Churches’.
Toy run organisers collect the toys and the hampers committee matches toys to appropriate recipients.
The list of recipients is nearing completion, although extra names will be added between now and the start of deliveries in early December.
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How you can help
Monetary donations
Financial donations can be made by emailing cohunahampers@gmail.com and requesting banking details, or by visiting the Gannawarra Toy Run Facebook Page and donating through trybooking, with the latter option putting you into the draw to win two nights’ accommodation for four people at Barham.
While it costs $65 to sponsor a hamper, any contribution will be gratefully accepted.
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Toy donations
Toys must be new and can be placed in toy run bins at:
Leitchville – IGA X-press
Kerang – Autopro, Halls Hardware and SportsPower
Barham – Barham Bakery, Trend Skate n Surf
Cohuna – Cohuna Sports Store, Cohuna Newsagency
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Another way to contribute
People can write a letter or draw a picture to be sent with hampers.
