Umina CAPS holds Christmas party

The Umina Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) held its annual Christmas Party recently at Umina recreation area.

Santa arrived on an old fire engine and children enjoyed played on the jumping castle.

Former CAPS coordinator Ms Winsome Smith said the job of running CAPS was "either feast or famine" and tended to be stressful.

CAPS has helped a number of mothers and children throughout the year, the main aim of the centre.

Ms Smith said that at CAPS they are always on the lookout for more volunteers and supporters and they hope to run a training course at the beginning of next year for volunteers.

Umina CAPS opened its doors exactly 13 years ago and helps more than 200 families each year and with children aged from newborn babies to 18 years old.

"A lot of parents are having trouble with teenagers - especially teenage boys", Ms Smith said.

"We need to let people know that we are here, as a lot of people haven't heard of CAPS.

"There are families going through crises that need us and they don't know we are here.

"We need lots of publicity."

Central Coast Community Chest donated the presents given to children at the CAPS Christmas party.

Hilda Gibbs, Lauren Brown, December 8