Oldham Council workers have once again embraced the season of goodwill by donating 415 presents to local young people who might otherwise receive nothing.
For many of us Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year but to some young people in Oldham it could be just any other day. Sadly, not every child gets a visit from Santa at Christmas but thankfully there’s a team of elves at Oldham Council who donate and wrap gifts for those who don’t have any others to open.
The Operation Christmas Child campaign sees council staff donate a gift which is then given to a local child or young person who is in need. The initiative is a real team effort every year with staff across all Oldham Council departments coming together to put a smile of the face of those who need it the most. Those taking part are given a tag with a first name, age and gender on it. They then buy a gift for their young person. A team of Oldham Council volunteers then wrap the gifts and make sure the young people receive them in time for Christmas.
Cllr Jenny Harrison, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding, said: “It goes without saying that thanks go to all those who have carefully selected and donated a gift.
“Some of our young people wouldn’t receive a single gift on Christmas Day if it wasn’t for the kindness of colleagues within the council and partners. May I thank our officers who organised the appeal and other staff for their kindness. On Christmas Day, those involved will have brought a smile to the face of a child in difficult circumstances.”
