UPDATE: The annual Christmas Toy Drive by the West Welcome Wagon is officially underway, aiming to provide gifts for over 500 asylum seeker and refugee families in Melbourne’s west. Donations are urgently needed to ensure children have presents to unwrap on 25 December 2025.
This year, the drive has launched in partnership with local Bendigo Bank branches in Seddon, Altona, Laverton, and Williamstown. Donations can be dropped off at these locations, as well as at the Sunshine office of Fraser MP Daniel Mulino and the West Welcome Wagon warehouse in Sunshine West.
West Welcome Wagon’s chief executive, Colette McInerney, emphasized the critical need for support, particularly for gifts suitable for young people aged 11 to 16. “Right now, we’re urgently needing gifts for young people,” she said. “Any support you can offer will make a world of difference.”
The Toy Drive, which began on 18 November 2025, has already garnered generous community support. McInerney expressed gratitude to those who have donated so far, stating, “Your generosity brings joy where it’s needed most.”
This initiative is a cornerstone of the organization’s efforts, providing gifts to more than 1,000 children from asylum seeker and refugee families each year. The success of the drive relies heavily on community contributions, making this an urgent call to action for residents.
To find out more about how to donate or support this vital cause, please visit https://www.westwelcomewagon.org.au/.
As the holiday season approaches, every donation counts in bringing hope and happiness to children in need. Now is the time to act and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
