What is Christmas to you?
Maybe Christmas is a cup of warm cocoa clutched between cold hands as you sit in front of an open flamed fire, flames ferociously dancing before transforming into blackened smoke.
Maybe Christmas is a warm sunny day, bare feet tickled by grass as you stand ready for the next ball to be bowled in a game of backyard cricket; the smell of fresh prawns, fruit, and barbequed meat distractingly tantalises your senses.
Maybe Christmas is the sound of carols reverberating between walls or off nearby trees as children run wild, rosy-cheeked and sweaty-browed as dirty hands clasp frosted fizzy drinks, heavy gulps filling the silence before cheerful yelling resumes once again.
Maybe Christmas is the smell of fresh pine and the serenity of early morning light before wrapping is eagerly torn away, revealing surprises suppressed within, pieces of paper floating softly to the floor like colourful snow.
As we grow older, what Christmas is to us, our meaning of Christmas changes, but no matter how old we are or where we live, there is one feature of Christmas that remains the same: giving.
Festive colours gleamed under fluorescent lights as Ashleigh House residents and members of the leisure and lifestyle team congregated in the lounge, an abundance of vibrant packaged toys splayed out from beneath the glistening Christmas tree.
Ashleigh House residents and staff were joined by volunteers from Gippsland-based charity, A Better Life for Foster Kids, on Tuesday, December 12, who, upon arrival, were unwitting of the fact they were about to receive the biggest Christmas donation of the year.
Over the past weeks, Liza Pendlebury and the entire leisure and lifestyle team have curated numerous events for Ashleigh House residents in a bid to raise money for A Better Life for Foster Kids and help bring joy to every child this Christmas.
“We had a day of cooking and then held a bake stall,” Ms Pendlebury said.
“One of our residents hand-made a kangaroo, which made over $200; we’ve had raffles, lucky squares and a market day.”
For some residents, a trip down the street is no easy feat. With so many Ashleigh House residents devoted to giving to A Better Life for Foster Kids this Christmas, Ms Pendlebury and the leisure and lifestyle team brought the street to them. Several local businesses descended upon the residential aged-care accommodation, erecting stalls blanketed in myriad toys and trinkets, clothing and games in what would conclude as a successful market day.
Residents scoured through barbies and bears, diggers and dinos, finding the perfect gift they wished to donate to a child in foster care this Christmas.
Ashleigh House staff joined in giving; overnight, Ms Pendlebury said bikes, toys, and money kept appearing unexpectedly.
“The staff have been amazing,” Ms Pendlebury gushed.
“So much money, so many gifts and not just from residents and staff but the entire Sale community.”
Ms Pendlebury raised $1500 for A Better Life for Foster Kids through a Facebook fundraiser, with donations from those across the Sale and broader community.
Collingwood’s longest-serving captain and Liza Pendlebury’s son, Scott Pendlebury, also donated a 2010 premiership guernsey signed by premiership captain Nick Maxwell and the Norm Smith Medallist – Scott Pendlebury himself.
The Collingwood jumper will be auctioned at A Better Life for Foster Kids gala dinner early next year.
Fundraising efforts from Ashleigh House residents and staff raised more than $2500 for A Better Life for Foster Kids, with the number of toys, games, trinkets and gifts handed over on Tuesday, December 12, calling for the charity van.
“We have had to call in the van”, volunteers from A Better Life for Foster Kids said. “There is too much for our cars.
“It is absolutely amazing; we can’t believe it. We are blown away; this is a huge donation, the biggest this year.
“The entire Sale community is amazing; we really can’t believe it.”
