By Sheree Hoddinett
When you start tackling that Christmas toy list this festive season, if you can manage to purchase an extra toy or two for the kids in care in our community, it’s something they will likely treasure dearly!
Kindness for Kids in Care work with the Department of Child Safety, the Queensland Police Service and other local community organisations to provide young people in the care system with material assistance that they may otherwise miss out on.
Their key initiative is the annual Christmas Toy Drive at Morayfield Shopping Centre, which provides more than 750 gifts to at risk children in the foster care system, as well as kids who are living rough or identified as being at risk of domestic violence.
The toy drive was first started 15 years ago by Michelle Rigger from Caboolture Sports Club and Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan. The drive continued to grow bigger and bigger every year, so in 2022 Kindness for Kids in Care was established to provide an organisation framework around the drive and expand the spirit of giving to help kids in care in other ways.
Kindness for Kids in Care president Prue Aranovitch said it all started to make a change after hearing stories that kids in care didn’t receive any presents for Christmas.
“It’s about trying to make sure that no child in our community misses out on enjoying Christmas, which is a holiday that is all about sharing and caring,” Prue said. “The community can help out by financial donations or going into Morayfield Shopping Centre, where they can leave a donation in the big box placed at the food court.”
While donating a toy may not seem like much, it can mean the world to a child who isn’t expecting it.
“Hearing the stories shared by the child safety officers are very touching – kids know that the community cares about them,” Prue said. “Everybody in the community has been incredibly generous.
“Along with the amazing support we receive from the Caboolture Sports Club, Morayfield Shopping Centre and local member Mark Ryan, it’s wonderful to see that several organisations, such as Planet Fitness and World Gym are giving their members opportunity to contribute toys as well. The idea has also been taken up by some government departments and a local community of over-50 living has also joined in.”
Part of Kindness for Kids in Care’s expansion since 2022 also includes a Suitcase Drive and their Hope Chest Program.
“The Department of Child Safety shared with us that many children coming into care were often delivered to their new home with their worldly possessions in a garbage bag,” Prue said. “Our initiative provides every child that comes into care in Morayfield and Caboolture with a suitcase for their belongings and a subtle reminder that they remain worthy human beings.
“Our Hope Chest Program focuses on the other end of a young person’s care experience. Once a young person leaves the care system or goes into independent living, Kindness for Kids in Care will provide them with a large, solid chest filled with some of the basic essentials they need to start their adult lives. This includes cooking utensils, bedding and other useful items to make the transition to independence a little easier. We also include a copy of Dr Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go, for inspiration.”
The big present shaped box inside Morayfield Shopping Centre will be available for donations right up until Christmas. Kindness for Kids in Care will also pass toys on to local police to deliver to local vulnerable families.
“Together with our sponsors – including Caboolture Sports Club, Morayfield Shopping Centre and more than 20 other local organisations and businesses – we will continue to expand our efforts to bring a little kindness into the lives of kids in care in our community,” Prue said.
For further information follow Kindness for Kids in Care on Facebook or contact Prue on 0408 962 839.
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