Kind-Hearted Businesses Show Their Support For Operation Santa

Operation Santa 2016 is in full swing, with businesses in the local area also getting involved in the council’s annual charity appeal. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The appeal aims to provide Christmas gifts for over 600 local children who are not supported by any other appeal. In addition, the appeal also provides hampers to young adults who have recently left the care system and will be living independently this Christmas. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Kind-hearted staff at ‘Dust and Things’, a Caerphilly-based business specialising in bespoke engraved gifts, have been working hard to put together a fantastic 50 hampers which will go to care leavers this festive season. The hampers contain long-life essential food items as well as a few Christmas treats. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mike Chamberlain, owner of Dust and Things said, “We’re very passionate about supporting young adults, and the Operation Santa appeal is a fantastic way to give newly independent adults a reminder that they’re not alone and that their community is there for them”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Crown Cottage Dental Centre in Bedwas, Caerphilly are also getting involved in the appeal, with dentist Dr James Brown offering free dental check-ups on Friday 2nd December in return for a Christmas present that will be donated to the Operation Santa appeal. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet Member Cllr Robin Woodyatt said, “Operation Santa simply wouldn’t be the success it is without the support of kind hearted residents and businesses. Our sincere thanks must go to all involved for their generosity and involvement in this appeal”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There is still time to get involved in the Operation Santa appeal for 2016. Residents can contact the council to pledge to buy a gift for a local child this Christmas. The dedicated pledge line will remain open until Wednesday 30th November, and gifts will then need to be delivered to one of the collection centres by Friday 2nd December. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Collection centres are at: – ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Penallta House, Ystrad Mynach
• Caerphilly Library
• Apex Estate Agents, Bargoed
• YMCA, Bargoed
• Lloyds Bank, Rhymney
• Blackwood Housing Office, The Market Place
• Barclays Bank, Ystrad Mynach
• Risca Family Centre, Brookland Road, Risca
• Pontlottyn Customer First Centre

To get involved in Operation Santa by pledging a gift, please email operationsanta@caerphilly.gov.uk or call the pledge hotline on 01443 866 577 by Wednesday 30th November. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To make a check-up appointment at Crown Cottage Dental Centre on 2nd December, please call 029 2088 8786. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​