By Margaret Maccoll
Not everyone in Noosa lives a life of luxury, but the year-long efforts of a group of well-meaning residents will make Christmas a happier occasion for 280 families doing it tough.
After 12 months fund-raising, Santa’s Classy Helpers spent all day Monday converting The J theatre at Noosaville into a supermarket and its stage a toy store stocked with their wares.
On Tuesday, families who have been referred by charity groups including the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul wheeled shopping trolleys around the makeshift store for their Christmas shop.
The venture is co-ordinated by Lorraine Kenway and Chris Barker and assisted by volunteers and Noosa service clubs including Tewantin Noosa Lions Club who supplied a sausage sizzle on the day.
More than 60 volunteers helped the families collect their supplies and make the free shop a happy occasion.
There was fresh fruit and vegetables, Christmas cakes and puddings, hams, clothes, toiletries, groceries and an amazing array of toys for children from babies to teenagers.
No one was there to judge just to help, Chris told the volunteer team on Monday.
“When families come, a lot of them will want to tell you their stories,” she said.
“We try not to ask questions, and we keep their privacy.”
