The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region has thrown her support behind Gippsland charity ‘A Better Life for Foster Kids’ in their mission to provide Christmas presents for all children in foster or kinship care.
Ms Bath’s office is a designated drop off point for donated presents for children living in foster or out of care this Christmas.
Ms Bath said 2020 has been an incredibly challenging for everyone with COVID-19 altering the course of all our lives, however for children living in out-of-home care the impact has been far greater.
“A Better Life for Foster Kids has seen first hand how children in foster and out of care have suffered during the pandemic.
“With Christmas only seven weeks away, Heather Baird and her team are aiming to deliver some much-needed Christmas cheer to children living in foster and out of home care.
“Christmas can be a particularly tough time for children in care who are separated from family members.
“While many of us are on the counting down the weeks, days until we can see our friends and family, there are children who are living our community unable to be with their family because of circumstances outside their control.”
Melina Bath’s office in Traralgon is accepting donations of Christmas gifts on behalf of a Better Life for Foster Kids who will then distribute the gifts to children in out of home care.
Suggestions for gifts include gift cards, toys and beach towels. Books are discouraged due to high postage costs. The guide for gifts is keep it under $40 in value or $30 for gift cards.
During 2019 Heather Baird’s Gippsland based charity ‘A Better Life for Foster Kids’ coordinated gifts for more than 700 families with children in out-of-home care.
Ms Bath said through the donation of a small gift we can help brighten the day of children in care, promote the spirit of giving and keep the magic of Christmas alive.
“Supporting children in need relies on the generosity of our wonderful Gippsland community and I’m pleased to be able to host a giving tree in my office and serve as a drop-off point for gifts.”
Ms Bath’s office is located 181 Franklin Street, Traralgon and is open for donation from 9am – 4.30pm weekdays.
“Alternatively, gifts can also be posted direct to the charity at PO Box 1138 Sale Vic, 3850.”
