The Sunshine Coast Secret Santa (SCSS) added five more families to its nice list, making a total of 21 families on the Coast who received hampers this year.
SCSS president Zoe Barbaro said there was some concern at first, but people really came through at the last minute.
“It was a slow start – it’s definitely been a tighter year for people,” Barbaro said. “But we did a few last minute callouts and usually you get a lot of support right at the end, when it’s crunch time.”
This year SCSS raised just over $20,000 for the hampers; last year they raised about $38,000.
Each hamper includes personalized presents based on wish lists sent in by families. SCSS typically covers basic needs like new clothing, winter boots, socks, mittens and “all that kind of stuff that can be a bit of a cost this time of year,” Barbaro said.
“We also do personal gifts for the kids. They all get toys, and then a large portion of the hamper is gift certificates for basic necessities,” Barbaro said. “Like, food, hair cuts, hygiene products – that kind of thing.”
Hampers range in value roughly between $500 and $1,200 depending on the size of the family and the level of need. Barbaro said they sometimes encounter families who have had their hydro cut off. In cases like this, SCSS would pay the hydro bill, she said.
“Our aim is to get families that are really struggling to not only have a Christmas but to get back on their feet again if they are really suffering,” Barbaro said.
Hampers went out on Dec. 18. The date was moved up a day due to volunteer availability.
Elves Club hampers went out on Dec. 19 as planned. Elves Club president Lynn Nestman said that her group received overwhelming donations of toys after it was reported on Dec. 10 that she was concerned they would be short this year.
“At this point we have so many toys we’re reloading toys. Like, refilling toy bags for a second fill because we have so many. It’s unbelievable,” Nestman said. “Now I’m overflowing with toys. They’re going to think Santa really hit their house this year. It’s crazy there’s so many.”
The Elves Club is in its 47th year of supplying hampers to families in need from Port Mellon to Egmont. This year Nestman estimated the group is delivering 675 hampers. The hamper food is all purchased locally; this year the focus was on better nutrition.
