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Donations Brighten Festive Season for Special Children
Christmas for children at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Perth was made a little brighter after a festive season charity drive saw more than $21,000 in presents, cash and household goods were delivered by the City of Melville Lifestyle Services.
On 23 December, a team of ten staff from the City’s recreation centres visited the house bearing gifts as well as a large cheque, and cooked a huge Christmas barbeque for children and their families staying at the House.
City of Melville Lifestyle Services Team Leader Julian Pace said staff from RMH expressed it was the best Christmas present they had ever received and that it meant the world to RMH staff and families.
“Our donations meant families staying at the House over Christmas were shown some joy and made to feel a little special at a time when families should be at home, enjoying festive celebrations with loved ones,” he said.
“As this was our first charity drive, we were unsure what to expect in terms of support, but we were absolutely delighted with the positive response and were very proud to be able to hand over our donation.”
Donations collected over the Season for Giving at the Melville Recreation Centre and Melville Aquatic Fitness Centre raised more than $17,000 in cash and an estimated $4,000 in goods such as toys, presents, household items, food and drinks.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our members as well as visitors for leaving gifts and essential items under the Centre Christmas trees for these families,” Mr Pace said.
WA businesses pitched in with generous donations as well, with Hanlong Mining contributing $10,000, Moly Mines Ltd giving $2,000, Stormbox providing promotional material to help attract donations and Airconomic donating a fully installed reverse split air-conditioner.
“We are definitely planning to continue our Season for Giving charity appeal in years to come to promote Christmas as a time of giving,” Mr Pace said.
Ronald McDonald House relies on the generosity of the public to donate food and assist with its operations which span 24 hour a day, seven-day a week, 365 day of the year to give families from regional WA a home-away-from-home while their seriously ill children are treated at Princess Margaret Hospital.