Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs joined forces with Laundy Hotels staff yesterday, helping to wrap over 400 Christmas gifts for Pass it On's third annual XMAS gifting campaign for the homeless.
Pass it On Clothing & Co is a Sydney-based social enterprise that puts apparel, shoes and accessories donations directly in the hands of those who need it most. Founded in September 2016, Pass it On Clothing & Co has been instrumental in providing quality men’s and women’s clothes donations to Sydney’s homeless community, and currently operates two weekly outreach services.
This year, Laundy Hotels - the Club's major sponsor - has been working hard behind the scenes to collate over 400 items of apparel to gift out during the Holiday Season, and hopefully bring some Christmas cheer to those who would otherwise go without this festive season.
Yesterday, members of the Bulldogs Executive, staff and alumni came together with the Laundy family and Lane Cove lead office staff to roll up their sleeves and help wrap the gifts that are to be distributed on Christmas day to the community's most vulnerable.
On Christmas morning, Laundy Hotels will host a Morning Breakfast BBQ at their Woolly Bay Hotel venue, serving up a special Christmas meal of a bacon and egg roll with a side of some much-needed items of clothing to pass on to Sydney's homeless.
General Manager of Stakeholder Engagement, Diane Langmack OAM was among the Bulldogs staff present to lend a hand and help the Laundy Hotel Group prepare for such a special occasion:
"We can't comprehend what they [Sydney's homeless men, women and families] go through living on the street, trying to find food and accommodation daily. It's very, very sad," Langmack said.
"Christmas can be a really hard time for some people, and to bring people together such as our communities most vulnerable and share a meal with them, and give them a gift to make them feel special, we can't underestimate the importance of this. What the Laundy family are doing is amazing, and for us to be a part of it, it's very touching.
"We are a family Club, and we look after all our family especially when they are doing it tough at times. To get something on Christmas, it's really special and everyone deserves that. It's not just here's a T-shirt and here's some shorts, it's gifted with love. The gifts have written cards, and ribbons - all the family were there wrapping presents.
"Josh Reynolds was wrapping presents and there, talking to staff. Aaron [Warburton] our CEO was there, putting sticky tape on the presents. Willie Mason was hand-writing the cards... that's very humbling to see, people of their stature thinking of other people during this holiday period. But that is what it means to be a Bulldog. We are always putting our people, our family and our community first."
As the weeks lead into Christmas, the Bulldogs will be out engaging with the community and as active as ever, working tirelessly to make sure everyone is feeling included these holidays.
The Bulldogs will celebrate their 2023 Annual Members Christmas Party at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday the 8th of December, 2023, as well as be partaking in a number of community events. Bulldogs staff and players have also been invited to assist in the Christmas morning, Woolly Bay BBQ, while members of the public can help contribute to the cause by donating to Pass it on Clothing & Co's third annual XMAS gifting campaign for the homeless.
To donate, or to find out more, simply visit: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/328193/pass-it-ons-3rd-annual-xmas-gifting-campaign-for-the-homeless
