MORE than 400 donated gifts are finding their way into the hands of vulnerable children thanks to Riverside Plaza’s Christmas Community Giving Tree and VincentCare’s Marian Community.
The tree, which stood in the Plaza through December, saw hundreds of gifts placed below it.
VincentCare’s Marian Community in Shepparton provides 24/7 service to women and children experiencing family violence, with a focus on a wrap-around model of care so women and their children have the opportunity to make pathways out of violent relationships and live safely.
Trisha of VincentCare’s Marian Community said the gifts will be donated to children fleeing unsafe domestic situations.
“It’ll be fabulous to give back to these women and children who have experienced family violence and had to flee their homes, sometimes with just the clothes on their back,” she said.
“Most of these gifts will be a surprise, they won’t be expecting these things, so to be able to put a smile on people’s faces is really good.”
Brady Samovojska, property assistant at the Copulos Group which manages Riverside Plaza, said on behalf of the Group, he was “incredibly thankful” to all who donated gifts.
