More than toying with the notion of generosity: Street party’s gift-giving twist

There’s no better example than the residents of Valencia Drive, whose annual street party this year had a generous twist.

Fifteen families gathered to celebrate the spirit of the season, and while doing so, they also helped children in need, donating a wheelbarrow full of presents to the Salvation Army.

Dave Thompson organised the collection from his neighbours and workmates to give to those who may not otherwise find anything under the tree come Tuesday morning.

Their motivation? Simple – “we do it for the kids”.

“This is a time for kids to have fun and for us to help children in need,” he said.

MAP: Where the generous residents hail from …

He said every year he aimed to donate presents to people in need, but in 2018 he “wanted to do a bit more”, and so he enlisted the help of his West Orange neighbours. 

“I thought we might get a handful [of presents], but we got far more than that. The day was a complete success,” he said.

The generosity of the Valencia Drive residents was greatly appreciated by the Salvation Army, who will distribute the toys to local families.

Mr Thomspon said he wanted to go bigger and better next year, hoping to double or triple the 30-odd presents that were stacked in the wheelbarrow by getting the whole neighbourhood involved.

He thanked his neighbours – some of whom he hadn’t met before they donated – with special mention to Len and Christine Banks, who hosted the street party and donated a large number of gifts, as well as colleagues at TruFlo for getting involved.