As the end of the year approaches, Greenhouse Huskisson is preparing to launch its annual Christmas gift drive for families supported by SAHSSI. It is a simple community initiative that gathered overwhelming support across the Bay & Basin last year. From 1 December, the Greenhouse Huskisson Coworking will once again act as a collection point for unwrapped gifts for children and young people staying in SAHSSI’s supported accommodation in Nowra.
It’s easy to forget how much many of us take for granted. Everyday routines, creature comforts, and the familiarity that comes with the festive season, all come too easily for many of us. But not everyone in our community will experience Christmas this way. The gift drive is a straightforward reminder that even a modest gesture can help make the season a little brighter for families doing it tough.
Last year, Bay & Basin locals rallied over the few weeks before Christmas. Parents, small business owners, remote workers, retirees, and holiday visitors all contributed to the initiative. Donations ranged from toys and games to books, puzzles, toiletries, art supplies, sports equipment and beach toys, baby items, gifts suitable for teenage boys and girls as well as Visa Gift Vouchers.
Jamie McAinsh, founder of Greenhouse Huskisson, says the decision to run the drive again was shaped by last year’s steady support and our frequent donation drive for SAHSSI throughout the year. “People want a simple way to help, where they know what they’re donating, gets to the right people.”
SAHSSI provides essential support and accommodation for women and families experiencing domestic and family violence. While that context underscores the importance of the initiative, the purpose of the gift drive is intentionally modest. It exists to make sure that the children and young people in supported accommodation have something new and age-appropriate to open on Christmas morning.
There’s no expectation of large donations, and no emotional campaign behind it. The aim is simply to offer the community an easy, practical way to acknowledge families who may be navigating a more complex festive period.
This accessible approach is part of its effectiveness. People drop in on their way to work, while grabbing a coffee, after school pick-ups, or while visiting Huskisson for errands. It fits around normal routines, which means more people are inclined to take part.
While Greenhouse Huskisson is primarily known as a coworking space, its role in the region has broadened. It now hosts business networking evenings, research collaborations and advisory support for local enterprises. Increasingly, it has become a meeting point for community initiatives that sit beyond the world of business.
Acting as a collection point for the Christmas drive aligns naturally with that broader purpose.
Jamie sees Greenhouse’s part in the initiative as a simple extension of its role. “We’re well-placed to facilitate something useful for the community. If the space is already being used throughout the week, it makes sense to open it up for something that benefits local families.”
How to Contribute
From 1 December, Greenhouse Huskisson is inviting residents, businesses, and visitors to donate unwrapped gifts for boys and girls from infancy through to 17 years.
Suggested items include:
Toys and games
Books
Art and craft supplies
Sports items
Puzzles
Teen accessories or self-care items
Baby essentials
VISA gift cards
All gifts should be left unwrapped so SAHSSI can sort and distribute them appropriately.
Donations can be delivered to the Greenhouse during normal opening hours throughout December. The items will then be passed on to SAHSSI prior to Christmas week.