The kids of Katamatite Kindergarten may be small, but they have a big heart.
That big heart was fully displayed on Monday, December 4, as the kids handed over their Christmas donations to Cobram Community House Christmas appeal co-ordinator Paula Hansen.
The donations will contribute to CCH’s Christmas gift appeal and Christmas cheer pack.
The gift appeal is an annual tradition for CCH and aims to provide toys for children who would otherwise go without.
The Christmas cheer pack appeal is a new CCH initiative to provide Christmas food to struggling families. It differs from other food drives as it’s based solely on Christmas food and treats and not on food staples.
Items donated by the Katamtite kids include dolls, books, fishing rods, games and food items such as pretzels, soft drinks and biscuits.
Ms Hansen said the effort by the kids and their families was nothing short of extraordinary.
“It’s an incredible effort, a tiny community but such a big heart,” she said.
“Thank you for a truly inspirational effort. You have brought Christmas cheer to many local families doing it tough this year.”
While handing over the donations, the kids treated Ms Hansen to Christmas carols.
Katamatite Kindergarten early childhood teacher Jacquie Monk said the community rallied behind the Christmas appeal and it was the perfect opportunity to teach the students important life lessons.
“We teach our students to be generous, and that we (the students) don’t always need to receive something in return,” she said.
“We talk about the good feeling you get when you give without expecting anything back.”
Ms Monk said the kindergarten put out a call to the wider community and people supported the good cause wholeheartedly.
CCH chief executive officer Christine Osborne said donations for the appeal drives are still open for those wishing to help spread Christmas cheer.
“If anyone in the community would like to help by donating Christmas treats such as soft drinks, biscuits, lollies, chips, etc, for inclusion in the packs, they drop goods at Cobram Community House or the Bendigo Bank,” she said.