TO give back at Christmas is a staple for the holiday period for most people.
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For some it hits closer to home than others.
Horsham Mum, Sarah Lee said giving back this time of year is important to her and her family.
In 2019, her son Braxton was diagnosed with a brain tumour, they found out just a week before Christmas.
Last Christmas, Ms Lee organised a toy drive and is continuing the tradition this year as well.
"The toy drive is to support a charity based down in Melbourne called Koala Kids," she said.
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"They provide support to children and their families who are going through childhood cancer, so all the toys we receive will do down to Melbourne and at Christmas time they'll be distributed out to the oncology awards at the Royal Children's."
The Horsham Angling Club donated their space for the toy drive which will be held from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, November 20.
Ms Lee and her team of volunteers have organised it so people don't need to leave their cars to drop off their donations.
In 2020 Ms Lee was only expecting a boot load of toys to end up with a truck load of donations.
"It took off by surprise," she said.
"There was about 100 people in the end who wanted to jump on and donate in some way.
"We have the most beautiful, generous community."
Ms Lee said the generosity of Horsham overwhelms her.
"What we've been through over the last two years with COVID-19 and people really want to give back, especially around Christmas time," she said.
"A lot of people in Horsham who have either had their own children at the Royal Children's Hospital or know of someone who has."
The community were there for Ms Lee's family when her son was sick and the family was often at the hospital.
"We spent a year on and off at the Royal Children's," she said.
"We had a massive fundraiser run for us here called Beers and a Bid for Brax. Our local community got together and raised over $50,000."
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Ms Lee also said she wanted to give back to Koala Kids as well.
"This charity has helped my family too," she said.
"I will continue to support it each year."
Some essentials to donate include games, puzzles, Lego, colouring and activity books, crafts sets, textas and pencils, books and board games.
While toys are a great donations, Ms Lee said there are some items people don't realise children and teens in hospital would love.
"Based on our experience in hospital, some pyjamas like with Peppa Pigs or Bluey," she said.
"Dressing gown, slippers or pillow cases and blankets for the hospital beds.
"Any costumes. Braxton had a couple gifted to him and he didn't want to take them off."
Ms Lee said education books are good as some children are missing school.
"iTunes or Google Play cards are good for the older kids as well," she said.
"We're trying to cater for all ages."
All donations need to be new and in original packaging. Items do not need to be wrapped so volunteers can sort through them.
Koala Kids are also always looking for novelty band aids.
"These go out to the pathology clinics and hospitals," Ms Lee said.
"The kids get them when they get their blood tests, ports accessed, or nasal gastric tubes.
"If you want to a couple of packets in with your donations, we can get those out to the charity as well."
Along with the Angling Club donating their space, Steve Pizzoni like last year, will be driving down the donations in his truck.
"I get quite emotional, I know what it's like to be one of those families in hospital this time of year," Ms Lee said.
"I remember being so stressed just wondering how I was going to make Christmas work and making it as normal as possible for Braxton. He was only 6 at the time.
"Just knowing all these families that want to get on board and support this, it really brightens these families days before Christmas."
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