Oliver Lees
A generous Sunbury resident has done her bit to spread some cheer this festive season by donating thousands of dollars to a local toy store to help families purchase their Christmas gifts.
Sunbury Toyworld co-owner Sharon Daly was working a Saturday shift when a regular customer – who has requested to remain anonymous – offered a large sum of money that would cover the costs of toy-buying for families in the community.
Ms Daly said the customer had been coming into the store for years and was finally in a financial position to give back to her community, so she felt compelled to do so.
“She [the customer] has done it hard before and there was a time when she couldn’t afford things for her own children,” Ms Daly said.
“So she wanted to pay it forward. It was beautiful.”
Ms Daly then got in contact with each of Sunbury’s 11 primary schools to organise for the donation to be divided up and distributed to parents with young children.
She said they were able to distribute 34 vouchers that were redeemable in store, each valued at $300.
“We designed vouchers and called them ‘Spirit of Giving’ vouchers,” she said.
“We gave it to the principals to decide how they want to divide them among the parents.
“Parents have already started coming in to use them. I’ve had a deputy principal crying … everyone is saying just how grateful they are.”
Ms Daly said she was glad her business could play a part in bringing joy to the community.
“We’re a local family to the Macedon Ranges, we’ve been in this store for 20 years,” she said.
“It’s just so beautiful to know that there’s good people out there caring for people.”
