NSW: Smith Family pack 8,000 toys to go to kids for Xmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2001
NSW: Smith Family pack 8,000 toys to go to kids for Xmas

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - More than 30,000 children's Christmas presents and 21,000 hampers
are being prepared for delivery to needy families across Australia, the Smith Family said
today.

In Sydney today, staff and volunteers have packed over 8,000 toys, while 6,000 Christmas
hampers would be packed throughout the week, a spokeswoman said.

Next weekend more than 600 drivers would hit the roads to deliver the Christmas cheer
to thousands of disadvantaged families across NSW, she said.

The spokeswoman said the dolls, sporting equipment, back packs, clock radios and computer
games would be delivered to kids across Sydney so on Christmas morning they could participate
in the opening of presents.

While the hamper would add all the trimmings to the Christmas Day lunch.

"Each hamper has all of the requirements for a traditional lunch. There's a ham, a
christmas pudding, christmas cake, custard powder, jelly crystals," she said.

The Smith Family wants needy families to be able to take part in the Christmas traditions
of gift giving and the festivities of traditional Christmas lunch.

"Just because they're from financially disadvantaged backgrounds doesn't mean they
can't participate in all of the normal things, giving presents, receiving presents and
Christmas Lunch."

AAP rhp/cat

KEYWORD: XMAS SMITH

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