The Hub at Guyra was packed on Thursday morning with children choosing presents for their loved ones.
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One boy walked out carrying a teddy bear almost as big as he was. Others selected books, radios, wooden train sets, clothes, and toiletries.
The Hub’s Reverse Advent Giving Project had collected donations from the community for disadvantaged families at Christmas.
The Hub knows that many families are suffering because of the drought.
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“It’s very generous, very beautiful,” Guyra mother Amanda McDonnell said. She was there with her three children.
“For people who struggle, it's the best thing that anybody could come up with. This way, everyone receives gifts.”
Hub co-ordinator Chris Hietbrink expected the Reverse Advent project to help a couple of hundred people.
Thirty children had been through by mid-morning, with three or four presents each.
“Hopefully these kids who wouldn't have got anything, or don't have any money are now able to select a whole lot of gifts for their families,” Chris said.
The support from the community, Chris said, was extremely generous.
“Last year, we thought we were blown away; this year’s been phenomenal. People are so generous. We’ve been given so much.”
Sandra Irwin and her granddaughter Steph worked non-stop for three days decorating and preparing by unpacking donations and displaying the 'Gift Shop’.
This is the second year the Hub has run the Reverse Advent Giving Project.
Last year, the Hub was able to support a number of probation and parole clients, with more than 200 community members receiving gifts via the project. The probation and parole clients were able to choose whatever they wanted for their children. Many were estranged from their families, or didn't have much money.
"They had nothing to give their kids themselves; there was nothing from Santa at their houses,” Chris said.
This year, the Hub opened it to any child in the community.
Any items left over will go to St Vincent de Paul for their hampers, or to ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency).
The Hub also plans to hold a day for farmers and farm workers doing it tough early in the year.
The event was a partnership between the Hub at Guyra, Armidale Regional Council, Guyra Library, and Kirks IGA.