Gift of giving back

After hitting rock bottom, how one local is giving back this season

Christie Green is creating hand-made Christmas trees that she is donating to families in need this Christmas. Picture: Ellen Ransley

LAST Christmas, Christie Green had nothing, and this year she was determined to make sure nobody else felt that way.

A simple idea, Ms Green has been busy building Christmas trees from recycled pine wood to donate to families and businesses who are struggling around this time, wanting absolutely nothing in return.

"Not everyone has Christmas or Christmas spirit, or ways and means to get Christmas trees or anything like that to make it really special.

"I put a little bit of heart, love and Christmas spirit into it. It's just about giving at this time of year.”

Ms Green said she had nothing last Christmas - "not even drinking water” - and she was heartbroken thinking about others in the same position.

"It hurts to know someone out there could be going through the same thing I did last year.”

Ms Green has been working at the Rest employment woodwork centre for a few months as part of her Centrelink requirements and said she had found a sense of purpose.

"I love what I do, I'm in my element.”

Since putting up the post last week, she has already created and given away 14trees.

"There has been tears, joy, people have been really overwhelmed, but there have been so many smiles.

"We're a small community and it's nice that I can do something that is such a small gesture that can go such a long way.”

Rest employment is hoping it may be able to take Ms Green's Christmas mission to its other worksites across the region.

Originally published as Gift of giving back