Christmas is back on for some of Maddington’s most vulnerable families after CDC Data Centres stepped in with a $25,000 donation to Mission Australia’s Wattle House emergency relief program.
The annual Christmas party, food hampers and children’s gifts were set to be cancelled due to decreased funding.
The issue was raised with Thornlie MLA Colleen Egan during a visit to Wattle House, leading to CDC being approached for support.
The donation will provide 120 hampers for emergency relief clients, 80 hampers for Mission Australia housing clients, and a Christmas lunch for 170 people, including 70 children.
The Salvation Army will also contribute toys through the Kmart Wishing Tree program.
Mission Australia State Director WA, Sue Budalich, said the support comes at a time when demand for help is rising and resources are stretched.
“Last year alone we supported more than 5,000 people,” Ms Budalich said.
“We currently provide about $30,000 worth of emergency relief per month to the community and the demand outstrips supply – and continues to grow.
“Without community support, there’s a very real risk that vulnerable people, including children, will go hungry and without necessities that many take for granted.”
In the past year, Wattle House has provided 4,668 food hampers and more than 5,200 instances of assistance, including help with food, bills, medication, toiletries, clothing, nappies and essential household items.
The service remains one of the few emergency relief hubs in the Maddington area.
Ms Egan said she was “overjoyed” to have played a role in ensuring the Christmas event could proceed.
“CDC Data Centres Ltd has truly saved Christmas for the needy families that Mission Australia has been supporting for many years,” she said.
“I’m so pleased that Maddington is the new home for a company that cares about the community in which it does business.”
CDC Founder and CEO Greg Boorer said the company was proud to support local families.
“Supporting this Christmas campaign is not just about a donation; it’s about showing up for our neighbours and making sure every family has something to smile about at this time of year,” he said.
Wattle House will now move ahead with preparations to deliver the hampers, lunch and gifts in time for Christmas, offering relief to families who feared they would miss out.
