Homeless youth are the recipients of some welcome Christmas cheer, thanks to the generosity of the Northern Beaches community. More than 250 ‘shoeboxes’ have been filled with an array of amazing gifts and donated to the Northern Beaches Council’s Youth Shoebox Project.

Northern Beaches Council Deputy General Manager David Kerr said the response from the local community is heart-warming.
“We knew our community was generous but we didn’t quite know what to expect,” he said.

“To get this sort of response is just incredible. The community here on the Northern Beaches deserves a big thank you, a really big pat on the back.”
The Youth Shoebox Project is designed by young people to help other young people aged 11 to 25 years old on the Northern Beaches and Northern Sydney Region who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness. From 21 November to 11 December 2016 the community was encouraged to fill a shoebox with things a young person may like and need, and give it as a Christmas present.
The presents are being distributed by three local youth homelessness services: The Burdekin Association, Mission Australia and Taldumande Youth Service.

Neil Davies from Burdekin Association said the generosity shown by the community was overwhelming and will bring happiness to young people’s lives during what is often a difficult time.

“I just want to take this opportunity to thank the Northern Beaches Council for running the successful shoe box event.

“The wonderful gifts will bring happiness to the lives of our young people at this often, difficult time of year and the personal messages received will restore a sense of belonging and inclusion in the community,” he said.

Julie Acton from Mission Australia said this age group often misses out at Christmas.
“Many people donate at Christmas time but usually the presents are for younger children,” she said.
Kevin Marcus Tran from Taldumande Youth Services said they would be giving out the shoebox gifts on Christmas Day.
“We try to make the youth accommodation feel homely at Christmas and have a Christmas tree set up and do a nice lunch.”
Popular gifts included clothing, make up, games, DVDs and gift vouchers, along with a special note from the donor.
Quotes from recipients
“I just want to say a BIG thank you for all the gifts that you brought around on Friday for all my children. This will help so much and make the kids day exciting. They normally only get 1 gift from me , so this year will be exciting for them to have a few more things to enjoy.”
Ashley (single mum with 6 children aged 7,8,10,12,14,15)

“You don’t understand the difference this gift makes to me, thank you.”
Mission Australia client