Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison has today launched a Christmas Toy Drive to ensure children in need have a great Christmas.

The gifts collected as part of this year’s Toy Drive will be donated to the Maitland Neighbourhood Centre and will support the Centre’s annual Christmas Hamper Collection.

The Maitland Neighbourhood Centre is often the first point of call for many families and individuals in our community seeking support and assistance throughout the year.

Unwrapped presents can be dropped off to the electorate office at 34 Church Street Maitland during business hours from now until the 19th of December for inclusion for the hampers.

All toys will be distributed to local children in need and will ensure they don’t miss out on the excitement of Christmas.

Quotes attributable to Jenny Aitchison MP, Member for Maitland:
“I am looking forward to seeing our community get behind our Toy Drive. Maitland is a generous and giving community, so let's share that spirit with parents and children who need some extra help this Christmas."

"I thank the Maitland Neighbourhood Centre for the work they do all year, but particularly at this time of year: ensuring our local children don’t miss out on the excitement of a new toy this Christmas, and that parents get to see that simple joy on their children's faces on Christmas morning."

“The Christmas season can be particularly difficult for families in need, and especially on children who often go without.”

"Christmas is a time for giving. I encourage everyone to get behind this drive, to make a difference to another family."

“It’s nice to be able to reach out to children in our own backyard when for some children just a small donation can make a huge difference.”

“I’m extremely grateful to the local community for the support they’ve given to previous drives such as ‘It’s in the Bag’ campaign; it shows we live in an incredibly generous community,”

Quotes attributable to Jenny Fullford, Maitland Neighbourhood Centre:
“So many families are finding it hard this year. People are really struggling just to put a roof over their head and keep their utilities connected, so to put food on their tables and a smile on their children’s faces is what we really aim to do through our hampers.”

“Over a year, we may see anywhere from ten to fifteen thousand families through our services. We aim to do what we can to ease the burden. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference. “