THANKS to generous donations from the community, volunteers should be able to pack around 1200 Christmas hampers for people in need this weekend.
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Every year, the 2BS Bathurst Lions Christmas Miracle Appeal brings a little light into the lives of people who are less fortunate and the elderly with the delivery of a hamper.
Mayor Bobby Bourke, who has been involved with the appeal for nearly three decades, said there has been a lot of generosity shown this year from businesses, such as Simplot and Mars, and schools.
"Donations have been fantastic. I did a thing at Cathedral School this week and there were over 600 items," he said.
"It really highlighted to me how people just want to give this year. I've also been to South Bathurst [Public School], who have donated around 300 items."
Now that all the donations have come in, people are needed to roll up their sleeves and help pack the hampers on Saturday morning.
Volunteers are invited to stop by the Mount Panorama pit complex from 8.30am and there is no limit to how many people can help.
"The more the better on Saturday, because the quicker you can pack," Cr Bourke said, adding that it's also a chance to catch up with and get to know other community members.
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On Sunday, the hampers will be delivered to people in the community.
Those who receive them can expect to get items like pudding, cake, and a variety of tinned food.
While the hamper itself makes a difference at Christmas time, Cr Bourke said having someone knock on the door and wish them a Merry Christmas is just as significant.
"It's nearly better than receiving the hamper," he said.
The appeal has been running for 60 years and the number of hampers given out has increased, showing how significant the initiative has become in Bathurst.
"I've been doing it for 27 years now. I started out with 67 hampers with Apex and now we're up to 1200 with Lions," Cr Bourke said.
To assist with storage and the packing day, Bathurst Regional Council has waived the hiring fees for the Mount Panorama pit complex.
The fee waiver saves the organisers of the appeal around $9000.