Junction Support Services’ Annual Christmas Drive will bring cheer to hundreds of Border children doing it tough this Christmas.

The Annual Christmas Drive runs throughout November, and Junction is asking for business and community gift donations.

Junction will distribute the gifts to families and children in our community we support who would otherwise miss out this Christmas.

“We need new and unwrapped gifts to suit children of all ages up to older teenagers,” says Junction Annual Christmas Drive coordinator Annie Shirley.

“We acknowledge the valuable commitment from Border businesses and families who have contributed to Junction’s Annual Christmas Drive in the past and encourage them to help our community neighbours who are less fortunate during this time again.

“These gifts have such a positive impact.”

Last financial year, Junction assisted nearly 2500 children, adults and families seeking support, including more than 450 Wodonga families and people who reached out to Junction’s Homelessness team for help.

“Junction’s Annual Christmas Drive last year helped more than 180 families and 330 children and young people on the Border share in the joy and goodwill of Christmas,” says Junction CEO Megan Hanley.

“Evidence shows an increasing need for support, making this year’s Annual Christmas Drive more valuable than ever.”

Border business operator Nic Conway is thrilled to join the Annual Christmas Drive again.

“As a father of five kids of my own, I get to see the anticipation on Christmas Eve and then the joy on their faces each Christmas morning,” says Mr Conway.

“This makes me pretty sad to know that many kids miss out on this, so the PT Fitness Community really makes an effort to make a difference to as many kids as we can help.”

Gifts can be left at one of the following generous business Drop Off points:

• The Klinic – 4/2 South St Wodonga
• PT Fitness – 6 Chisholm Court Wodonga
• HB Collective – 3/156 De Kerilleau Drive Wodonga
• RSM – 564 David St Albury
• Camera House – 494 Dean St Albury

People can also leave donations at Junction’s main office, 9/155 Melbourne Road, Wodonga.

Alternatively, people can make a financial Christmas Donation via the Junction Support Services website (https://junction.org.au/general-donations), and the Junction team will purchase an age-appropriate gift.