Whilst the sun shines over the Sunrise community on the coast of Port Stephens, a hard-working group of residents have been shining their light helping those less fortunate within the local community giving back as the Little Ray of Sunrise group.

The Little Ray of Sunrise group recently held a drive to support the local church’s annual initiative, Gifts of Hope. “Gifts of Hope collects gifts that are then delivered to families in our community who have had a particularly tough year, bringing hope and joy in the season of Christmas,” said Lynne Nicholls, founding member of the Little Ray of Sunrise group.

Pictured: The hardworking Little Ray of Sunrise members packing the community van with gifts for the local church’s annual Gifts of Hope initiative. 

Over two days, members of the A Little Ray of Sunrise group gathered their contributions, which included creations that members had worked on throughout the year, to the community ready for sorting.

“After three days of sorting into age groups and packing into gift bags, an afternoon tea was held at the Sunrise community centre where Pastor Chris Klum from the local church, Hope UC, accepted the donations on behalf of Gifts of Hope. Hope UC has the infrastructure and community contacts in the Port Stephens, Hunter, and Central Coast areas to ensure that our donations make it to those in need,” said Lynne.

Pictured: The wonderful efforts by the Little Ray of Sunrise group. 

Little Ray of Sunrise was first created in December 2022 as a few friends who had an idea to give back to the local community and has since grown into a group with over 80 members. “The group was created with two aims in mind, firstly to collect for those in need throughout the entire year and secondly, to provide a platform for likeminded community members to get together to share their knowledge, skills and ideas to create items for the cause, and to socialise whilst they are at it,” said Lynne.

The group also contribute to Hope in a Suitcase, an organisation who provide children entering foster or out-of-home care with a suitcase of essential items to call their own. “Earlier this year, our group rallied to put together two suitcases for newborns and answered the call for a provision of suitcases and duffel bags for children in the 10- to 12-year-old range. Hope in a Suitcase helps to send a message of hope and gives the children a sense that they are worthy and are cared for by the community,” concluded Lynne.