From humble beginnings local registered charity Christmas Smiles kicked off their third annual local Christmas drive on September 15.
The event provides the opportunity for residents to give to those most vulnerable in the community.
Christmas Smiles collect, coordinate, store and distribute gifts to residents exposed to poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, new starters in local domestic violence refuges, together with the elderly, the isolated and the underprivileged.
The group provides these gifts to local organisations including Earth Recovery Junction 142 (Katoomba), Gateway Family Services (Katoomba to Penrith), Mama Lanas Community Foundation (Penrith), Penrith Women’s Health Centre, The Haven Nepean Women’s Shelter and Hawkesbury Helping Hands.
Residents can donate unwanted presents to save them from landfill and these are sorted for babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults and seniors. Drop-off points include: Lawson Storage King, The Turning Page Bookshop in Springwood) and Century 21 Lower Mountains Blaxland.
“This is an easy and much needed way to help those most vulnerable this Christmas,” founder Sarah Cuzner said.
The drive ends on November 15. For details go to: www.bluemountainsandpenrithchristmassmiles.com or search “Christmas Smiles Blue Mountains and Penrith” on Facebook.