'WE LOVE SHARING THE JOY AT CHRISTMAS'

Big-hearted Salvos Joy and Jim Burton welcome dozens of strangers into their home during the festive season

- Phillip Koch

With four children and 10 grandkids there are plenty of mouths to feed at Jim and Joy’s Morisset, NSW, home at Christmas, but this year, just like many others, the couple will once again prepare a feast for even more people.

Some guests will be recovering addicts or alcoholics. Others may be battling mental health issues or just be down on their luck and unable to afford a traditional Christmas feast.

Too many of their guests will never have experienced the joy of a loving family Christmas.

“I want them to feel loved and accepted,” says Joy.

“To not only tell them, but to show them in a practical way. It becomes so much more than just a meal at Christmas. I love Christmas because everyone is so generous, peaceful and loving.”

Jim, 79, and Joy, 73, have been married for 47 years, and throughout those decades they have selflessly devoted themselves to helping Australians battling addictions, facing serious criminal charges or just plain doing it tough financially and emotionally.