Bairnsdale Scout Group was busy helping Santa this month, collecting brand new toys for foster kids.
After a car crashed into the warehouse in Sale, where the charity A Better Life for Foster Kids were storing toys for Christmas, many of their donations were damaged and the present pile much reduced.
A small group of children from Bairnsdale Scout Group formed a special ‘Santa Patrol’ led by Scouts Charlotte Robinson and Chayce Ramsay, and have spent the last few months preparing posters, which members took to more than 100 shops in and around town, and sharing on social media to get the word out about donating toys for Christmas to foster children.
Families spent time talking to local businesses and members of the public to donate brand new gifts.
On Saturday, November 1, families from Joeys, Cubs and Scouts volunteered their time to help decorate the Scout hall to get ready for collecting gifts.
Members of the community then came to the hall and dropped off presents at the Scout Hall in Grant Street, for children of all ages. Volunteers were delighted to receive an impressive number of donations, filling up 3 tables worth of gifts.
At the end of the day, the charity representatives from A Better Life for Foster Kids came and picked up all the gifts to make sure they reached the kids in time for Christmas.
The Scouts thanked everyone in the community who donated to make Christmas brighter for children in need.
Charlotte Robinson, one of the patrol leaders for the Santa Patrol from the Scout Section, said: “I loved being part of the Santa Patrol and helping collect the presents for kids at Christmas time. It makes me feel really happy knowing these kids will have something to open.”
Chayce Ramsay, the other Patrol Leader, said: “I am really proud be the patrol leader for this event and knowing that we played a part in helping make many children’s Christmas happen this year makes me so happy.”
What a great way for youth to support the community and earn some badges in the process.
