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Heathridge resident urging others to get behind The Salvation Army Christmas appeal

Laura PondJoondalup Times

HEATHRIDGE resident and The Salvation Army officer Natalie Norman has seen firsthand how people benefit from the organisation’s annual Christmas appeal.

She has been a member of The Salvation Army for 26 years and is urging people to get behind its appeal for food, children’s toys and monetary donations.

Captain Norman said her favourite memory was of a woman who visited to choose donated toys to give her children for Christmas.

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“There was this whole room of toys and she burst into tears,” she said.

“She said she’d never been able to give her children toys at Christmas time.

“That’s what it’s all about.”

The Heathridge branch is aiming to help 100 local families over the holidays, with 50 volunteers involved and 10 schools collecting donations.

“The joy, hope and relief in the faces of those assisted is a real reminder of what Christmas is all about,” she said.

“It’s important we work together, everybody helps everybody else.

“We have to remember that one day we might be the ones needing help.”

People can donate children’s toys to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal at the Joondalup store, which will then be passed to the Heathridge branch for distribution or drop off donations at 36 Christmas Avenue, Heathridge.

The Salvation Army Merriwa is also participating in the appeal, with toys donated to Kmart Clarkson given to the branch or drop off at 26 Jenolan Way, Merriwa.

We asked The Salvation Army Heathridge members what Christmas meant to them

Barbara Thompson, welfare volunteer

What do you enjoy most about Christmas? Spending time with family and friends

What are your traditions? Going to church, playing silly games with family

What is your favourite Christmas memory? Enjoying Christmas with my children when they were little

Barbara McNally, soldier

What’s the best thing about Christmas in Perth? The beach

What do you eat on the day? Cold foods

What is your favourite Christmas memory? In Scotland, with family and snow, homemade gifts, not lots of money for gifts

Ann Doble, welfare volunteer

What do you enjoy most about Christmas? Family and friends, love and joy

What are your traditions? Going to church, spending time with family

What is your favourite Christmas memory? Children opening presents

Natalie Norman, corps officer

What’s the best thing about Christmas in Perth? Sunny weather

How do you spend Christmas Day? We go to church in the morning, then we have lunch and open presents and call all our interstate family

What do you eat on the day? Roast turkey and chicken and vegetables, followed by homemade Christmas pudding