Everyone who requests support will be seen by a volunteer from the organisation, ensuring no one misses out. Anyone can call and request assistance. Volunteers visit their homes so needs are understood. They then provide a Christmas hamper and a voucher for Christmas gifts. Parents will often visit the Redfern office to personally select and gift-wrap a gift for their children.
NSW Premier Mike Baird launched the St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Appeal in early November, at a homeless service for families experiencing homelessness. “Vulnerable people and families may find themselves needing the most basic items, including food, money to pay the bills and gifts for children. Or else they just need a friendly face and a helping hand. Vinnies does a marvellous job reaching out to vulnerable people all the year round, but especially at Christmas,” said Premier Baird.
A single mother in the Enmore region with four children received a Christmas hamper and children’s gifts voucher last year. She wrote a card to the volunteer who visited her, which read: “Thank you for your help over Christmas. I didn’t know if I was able to get the girls much this year, but with the help of the food voucher and hamper we were able to have a special Christmas meal. The girls loved their gifts, and each had two gifts under the tree this year. It really made their Christmas.”
A Newtown volunteer of 40 years, Doreen, writes Christmas cards to people she visits each year. When she delivered hampers last year, a regularly visited man mentioned that the Christmas card she sent him was the only card he received that festive season and he couldn’t wait to receive a Christmas card from her this year.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW places great importance on developing a personal approach. They always visit their members and take the time to sit down with them and get to know them. They try to understand exactly what the families or individuals are going through so they can best assist them in their particular circumstance.
“We don’t just drop a hamper at their door, we make sure we listen to what they need and respond appropriately. Sometimes they just want a friendly person to talk to, in what can be a very lonely time of year. Sometimes they need a voucher to the local shop to get some extra food over what is an expensive period for all of us. Other times they have no idea if they’ll be able to provide their kids with a present on Christmas day – and we give them the opportunity to choose something themselves that they will love. It’s a personal experience – they aren’t just clients to us, they are real people who we often know and love,” said Emily Goldsmith, St Vincent de Paul Sydney Regional President.
From November 2013 to January 2014, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW provided over $3.7 million worth of assistance to people in need. The biggest challenge they face is the increase in demand for support. This year, the organisation has seen a lot more people asking for help.
