Windermere Child and Family Services lends a hand a month out from Christmas

Windermere Child and Family Services is just one of many early childhood education and care (ECEC) service providers who will host a “Merry Mission Day” today to support the Merry Mission Appeal which brings joy to vulnerable children and families at Christmas through hampers. 

The appeal runs from 7 November to 2 December, with all Australians encouraged to donate items for hamper baskets, or to provide cash donations online as a way of supporting the vulnerable. 

In kind donations can include gifts for children from birth – 16 years of age, non perishable food items, and personal care products, which can be delivered to Windermere’s Pakenham office at Toomah Community Centre, 18 Golden Green St, Pakenham, Victoria.

Shaneen and daughter Phoebe – a talented para-equestrian who lives with cerebral palsy – are just one of the many families supported by the appeal, many of whom are facing economic barriers, homlessness, or living with family violence.

They received hampers in 2020 and 2021 through Merry Mission, which meant “the first time we’d been able to enjoy Christmas since (Shaneen’s partner and Phoebe’s father) passed away in 2008.”

“Windermere and their donors really made our Christmas, we received a big hamper, and we had nothing at the time. It was a god send, and had all useful things in there,” Shaneen said.

The Merry Mission Appeal, running for over 10 years, has supported around 5,000 families with over 9,500 gifts, over 4,000 hampers, and $360,000 in donated funds. Seeing the impact of the initiative is one of the best aspects of Windermere CEO Dr Lynette Buoy’s role. 

“At Windermere, we assist thousands of people each year with support services, and Christmas time, whilst a time of joy for most, can present difficulties for those living in poverty, or complex circumstances,” she explained. 

“It is always wonderful to see the generosity of Victorians each year, to give these deserving individuals and families a Christmas to remember,” Dr Buoy added.

Every year Windermere assists over 20,000 people with support and guidance in the areas of family and parenting, homelessness. disability services, early childhood intervention and education, and to victims of crime, assault and trauma.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit the website here.