THE upward climb of the cost of living has led a Rosewood resident to donate $200 worth of gift vouchers to the community for Christmas.
The gift vouchers were shared with three families.
Ally Thomas has lived in Rosewood for many years. It’s a place that she describes as warm and friendly.
“Everyone deserves happiness at Christmas time, the idea of helping others while putting a smile on their faces gives me so much joy and making others happy is all worth it,” she said.
“To make this happen I did have help from two other ladies, who didn’t want to be recognised, but who really helped me to make this giveaway happen and I am really grateful to both of them.
“I can relate to the feeling of real struggle. I know what it is like to go through tough times, and I know how much a gift card or a simple gift can really make you feel special, and that is why I do it.”
Ally also handed out a number of surprise gifts, one was a free ham, and the winners were selected with the help of her children.
“I always involve my children in the selection process, because it is important to me to teach my children that it is not just about receiving gifts at Christmas time, that it is also about giving and reaching out to help others,” she said.
“My children enjoy working together to help me, and it really does warm my heart throughout the entire process, everyone is a winner when you are helping others.”
The process involves Ally putting a call out to the community to families who genuinely need assistance at Christmas time, families then nominate themselves or someone that they may know, and the winners are carefully selected by Ally and her children.
“Just by the reactions from the winners when my children and I announce them, I can tell that the families are very grateful and overwhelmed, and just to be thanked is enough for me,” she said.
“I love Christmas time, nothing beats this special time with my children, my friends, my family and then the people who I can help along the way.
“If we can all work together in Rosewood, which is already a very giving and caring community, then no one should go without, I am just grateful to be part of such a fantastic community.”
