Vinnies ready to spread some Christmas cheer

Kwinana St Vincent de Paul Society will help more than 70 families have a brighter Christmas this year through the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

Across Australia on Friday, the St Vincent de Paul Society launched its annual appeal to help many Australians who are struggling to pay their bills and provide food and gifts for their children.

Kwinana St Vincent de Paul Society president Bram Ziegelaar said the society had provided hampers to the Kwinana community every year since it was founded in 1959.

“We will give out 73 hampers this year,” he said.

“We arrange them here and next week the store will be full of baskets of food and toys and people will come in and collect them.”

Mr Ziegelaar said the hampers were packed with plenty of Christmas goodies including custard, mince pies and Christmas crackers as well as essential items.

He said the hampers were made possible by donations and money made from the Vinnies stores.

“We are all volunteers so all the money goes back into the community,” he said.

“It is part of our own formation to help people, it gives fulfilment to us.”

Mr Ziegelaar said he wished the community “domestic peace” and “family unity” this Christmas.

“We are emergency relief so we hope that people can persevere in finding fulfilment in life, despite all the problems,” he said.

Calista resident William Indich said he was grateful for the extra food provided by the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

“It is that time of the year when family all come together and it helps us celebrate a bit better,” he said.

To donate to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal call 131812 or visit www.vinnies.org.au.