Ballina’s Christmas wrapping angels return to rescue another festive season
If your Christmas gift-wrapping looks like a cat attacked it, the good news is Ballina’s wrapping angels have returned, with scissors and tape at the ready and colourful paper stacked high.
The volunteers from the SCOPE and Lions Clubs are once again saving residents from the annual battle of crooked corners and runaway ribbon.
And really, why waste your own time wrestling with sticky tape and paper cuts when the professionals can do it faster, neater and with far fewer frustrations?
Even better, every gold coin donation goes straight back into local charities, so your beautifully wrapped gifts do double the good.
At Big W and Kmart, the SCOPE women’s community service club is celebrating its fourteenth year of Christmas wrapping. President Jenny Potts says the long-running effort has made a real difference.
“We’ve raised $126,000 over the years, and all of that money stays local,” she said.
“None of it goes out of town.”
No paper cuts – yet – Lynne McKee shows her scissoring skills.
MainPhoto: Lynne on the right with SCOPE President Jenny Potts and another satisfied customer, Kathryn Jones (right)
Beside her, fellow member Lynne McKee said their support reaches across many community needs.
“In the last 12 months we’ve helped the Hot Meal Centre, the SES and the RFS,” she said.
“We also donated towels and sheets after the floods.”
Among Saturday’s shoppers was entertainer Kathryn Jones, who had just had her gifts wrapped by Lynne and Jenny.
“You’ve got to have volunteers in a town like this,” Kathryn said.
“Without them, things just don’t happen.”
She said the wrapping stations are part of what makes Christmas in Ballina feel special.
“They make it feel like Christmas,” she said.
Lions Sisters (but not in real life) Mary Smith and Dorothy Smith
“It’s such a lovely service, and it helps people who really need support.”
Across the road at Ballina Fair, Lions Club wrappers Dorothy Smith and Mary Smith are keeping up their own steady flow of gifts, also raising money for local causes.
With hours running from 9am to 4pm as Christmas approaches, the Lions table has become a reliable destination for shoppers needing a hand.
Ballina Fair has leaned fully into the festive mood this year, with all caroling, all the trimming and people queuing up to have their Santa photos taken by expert local photographer Joel Frankham. Both children and pets are welcome!
Santa with his elfin photo assistants, helpers, Dana McPike and Ajandri Jacobsen
By blending their skills, care and a lot of festive cheers, the wrappers and photography crew are helping take the pressure off shoppers and add some extra joy into the festive season.
