Inspiring Toowoomba heroes, staff, volunteers making a difference this Christmas and festive season for those in need

With the assistance of staff, volunteers and generous donors, the festive season is looking a little brighter for those in need. Here are some of the inspiring people making a difference across Toowoomba this Christmas.

Here are some of the inspiring people making a difference across Toowoomba this Christmas.

Christmas for many is a time of celebration and spending time with family, but as the housing crisis and cost of living continues to rise, for some members of the Toowoomba community it has become the hardest time of the year.

However, with the assistance of staff, volunteers and generous donors, the festive season is looking a little brighter for those in need.

To celebrate these outstanding efforts, The Chronicle spoke with some of the inspiring people making Christmas merrier in Toowoomba.

Natalie Hodson, community engagement worker with the Toowoomba Salvation Army provides help to families at christmas. Friday, December 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The Salvation Army Toowoomba

It’s been a record-breaking year for Christian charity The Salvation Army, with more people requiring assistance than ever before.

This Christmas, the Toowoomba branch has assisted nearly 200 families and more than 500 children.

The Salvation Army Toowoomba community engagement worker Natalie Hodson is the first-point of contact for people in need who approach the charity for assistance.

She said the rewarding work was a reminder about the true meaning of Christmas.

“It’s pretty special knowing what I’m doing makes people happier and healthier,” she said.

“Some people fall into your arms because they didn’t know how they would get food on the table or gifts under the tree for their kids … everyone deserves to have a good Christmas.”

Working or volunteering at the charity for the past eight years, Ms Hodson said helping others was instilled in her from a young age by her family.

(from left) Elijah Cullen, volunteer, Linda De Leiuen, Australian Red Cross and Leigh Hilsdon, volunteer. Loads of Love headquarters at Grand Central shopping centre. Picture: Nev Madsen.

With the assistance of donations received from the public, schools, organisations and community groups, the charity managed to give gifts to children valued at approximately $30,000.

More than 100 food hampers valued at $4000, were also presented to families in need, which were donated to the Toowoomba charity by Dyno Nobel.

Ms Hodson said it was the most successful year on record for the branch, with around 40 to 50 families seeking assistance before Covid-19.

“We are so grateful and blown away by how much people give each year,” she said.

“So many kids came in this year to donate gifts they bought for others with their own pocket money and that’s because their families are teaching them to give back to others at Christmas time.”

In addition to its Christmas appeal, The Salvation Army also assists people throughout the year with services such as financial counselling, emergency relief and accommodation.

The charity will be hosting its Christmas Eve carols service from 6pm at 119 West St, Toowoomba.

(from left) John Cutler, Rotary of Toowoomba Garden City with Paul Wilson and Kim Stokes. Loads of Love headquarters at Grand Central shopping centre. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Loads of Love

Loads of Love project development manager Paul Wilson said he was just 14 years old when he first started working for a community-based organisation.

After his lived experience with his now 19-year-old daughter Jazmyn Wilson who lives with Down syndrome, Mr Wilson’s desire to make an impact only continued to grow.

In collaboration with Kim Stokes, who fulfils the role of strategic development and logistics, the pair have been working day and night for the initiative since early October.

“Loads of Love collects non-perishable food from the generous people in our community which is then bagged up and donated to people in need this Christmas,” Mr Wilson said.

“We’ve seen a huge influx of people in need this year with many experiencing homelessness and playing a small part in making this festive season easier for them is what gets me out of bed in the morning.”

While Mr Wilson couldn’t comment on the amount of donations received in the previous years, he said the donation total was “pretty significant” with close to 20 tonnes of food received.

“It’s been a big job, but when you get people coming up to you to give you a hug or say thank you, it makes it all worth while,” he said.

“I would like to thank all the volunteers from the bottom of my heart because we couldn’t make it happen without them.”

Darling Downs Health employee and Toowoomba Hospital catering manager Geoff Schultz. Picture: Contributed

Toowoomba Hospital

Every year, Toowoomba Hospital’s catering manager Geoff Schultz spreads Christmas joy for patients through his delicious and well-thought out meals.

The Darling Downs Health employee who has worked for the organisation for almost three decades and was a former personal chef, said he had a strong desire to make a difference.

“Generally, no one wants to be in hospital unless you’re giving birth so it’s about trying to give something nice to our patients,” Mr Schultz said.

“We try and go that extra mile to make it just a little bit more special for our patients who probably don’t want to be spending Christmas here.”

Passionate about helping patients feel festive on Christmas Day, the chef and his team are in the kitchen by 5.30am preparing meals.

This year, the hospital’s delightful Christmas menu will feature baked glazed ham, roast meals, turkey breast, homemade salad, plum pudding, pavlova and fruit cake.

“We have team of qualified chefs, staff undertaking sandwich and salad making, cleaning and dishwasher shifts, along with our staff who deliver meals to our patients,” Mr Schultz said.

“It’s a huge team effort and I know we all feel a real sense of achievement when we hear some of the positive feedback from patients who have enjoyed their meal.”

Approximately 80 staff members work in the commercial-sized kitchen each year and plate up more than 700,000 meals.

This includes 17,000kg of meat, 25,000kg of produce and 21,000 loaves of bread.