Bathurst RSL Club & Orange Ex-Services Club Give the Gift of Giving

The clubs have donated to the Veritas House Christmas Appeal, making possible the purchase of 80 Christmas hampers, each filled to the brim with over $100 worth of groceries, set to be delivered to vulnerable families across the Central West region.

Peter Sargent, CEO of Bathurst RSL Club, said he knows it has been a difficult year for many people. 

“Veritas House provides our young people with vital services when they are at their most vulnerable. We wanted to once again provide some support to help them have a Christmas they may not otherwise be able to experience,” Peter said. 

“We now have more than 16,000 members and we are really grateful for the wonderful support we receive from the Bathurst community. 

“The most important thing we can do is invest in our community.”

Ian Miller, President of the Bathurst RSL Club, said Christmas was about the gift of giving. 

“By providing the funding for these hampers, we are giving young people in transitional housing, and some vulnerable families, some much-needed assistance over Christmas,” Ian said.

“We are so pleased that we can support young people and their families with these Christmas hampers again.” 

Orange Ex-Services Club CEO Nathan Whiteside said it was an honour to help out those in need. 

“It’s so important to help out the local community, Veritas House do a fantastic job and our board was more than happy for us to lend a hand,” Nathan said. 

“Last year we were involved and this year we donated $4500.”

Jody Pearce, Veritas House CEO, said the hampers meant more this year given the current cost of living crisis. 

“The cost of living is so high right now that Christmas can prove to be one thing their budget cannot stretch to, however thanks to the ongoing generosity of Orange Ex-Services Club and Bathurst RSL we can ensure that Christmas can be celebrated with not only essentials such as fresh fruit and vegetables, but also enjoyed with presents and even Christmas pudding,” Jody said. 

“Our entire team look forward to making up the hampers and to be able to deliver them to our clients and see just how much receiving a hamper means is all the reward we need. 

“Christmas is such a special time for Veritas House, with the support of local clubs, it allows us to be able to bring a smile to the faces of young people and children, who miss out on so much throughout the year.”

Veritas House is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in the Central West over 40 years ago and has grown to become one of the largest providers of foster care, youth homelessness and family support services in the region, supporting more than 900 children, young people and families each year.