Murtoa students helped to launch the Dunmunkle Giving Tree at Murtoa Community Health Centre on Tuesday November 18.
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Our Ladies Help of Christian Primary School prep to grade six pupils performed two songs at the morning tea launch, including a recorder duet of Silent Night by teacher Bernadette Delahunty and pupil Jessie Delahunty.
The Dunmunkle Giving Tree is a collaborative effort between Wimmera Uniting Care, Murtoa and Rupanyup Inter Church Council, Dunmunkle Health Services and Murtoa and District Neighbourhood House.
Wimmera Uniting Care chief executive Barrie Elvish said the service organisations appealed to the community to donate Christmas gifts and food which would be distributed to struggling families within the Murtoa, Rupanyup and Minyip areas.
Murtoa and Rupanyup's Interchurch Council representative Phylis Loeliger officially launched the Christmas campaign.
Ms Loeliger explained the importance of the campaign to the pupils, and the difference generosity can make to a struggling family.
Junior school council secretary Jessie Delahunty and vice-president Ronan Garth Lindsay kicked off the campaign on behalf of the school with a $100 donation.
Mr Elvish said the Dunmunkle Giving Tree was a wonderful example of small communities supporting each other in times of need.
"Christmas can be a difficult time for many people and it's wonderful to see the communities of Murtoa, Rupanyup and Minyip getting behind campaigns like this each year," he said.
Mr Elvish said gifts could be donated at the Murtoa Community Health Centre, Minyip Community Health Centre, Rupanyup Doctor's Surgery and the Priceline Pharmacy Depot at Rupanyup.
The appeal will close on December 12 to allow time for gifts to be delivered before Christmas.
Mr Elvish said people could call Dunmunkle Health on 5363 0400 for more information.