Thousands of people throughout the Bunbury-Geographe region will get to enjoy a merrier Christmas thanks to the generosity of the local community.
Salvation Army captain Mark Schatz has spent the last few weeks picking up donations from across Bunbury with staff and volunteers now working to sort and organise thousands of gifts and food for those in need.
Mr Schatz said the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal was a culmination of several drives that had taken place including the toy run, Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, Dalyellup markets and Triple M’s hamper.
"It’s approximately going to be helping around 1700 to 2000 people this Christmas and that’s for everything they need for Christmas – toys, breakfast, lunch and dinner," he said.
"It’s been a massive undertaking and we have a great army of volunteers who are working hard to make it happen.
"They’ll come in to the centre and pick it up and parents will have the dignity of being able to pick and choose a toy specifically that their child would like and they’ll be able to wrap it and put it under the tree so they don’t miss out this Christmas.
"It fills my heart with joy to know that we live in such a generous town."
Mr Schatz said he had been absolutely overwhelmed by how much had been given this year.
“I want to celebrate the fact that we are living in such a generous city – I think it’s marvellous and awe-inspiring to know that people still care,” he said.
“If it wasn’t for the community we couldn’t make this happen, so thank you.”