Fortunately, there are lots of charities and not-for-profit organisations that are doing wonderful work to give back this festive season. Helping those in need is truly the best present you could ever give! If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for the person who has everything, or you’re not sure what to tell the people who keep asking what you want for a present, consider paying it forward.
FIVE WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS CHRISTMAS:
1. Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
The COVID 19 pandemic and recession are making this Christmas more challenging for vulnerable Aboriginal children and families. By making a donation of $25, you can support vulnerable children and struggling families.
Your donation will go a long way towards making sure that Aboriginal children in care and in VACCA programs will receive a Christmas present this year, and to help VACCA offer further support to families and Elders by supplying food, household essentials, and groceries.
All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.
DONATE TO VACCA HERE
2. Berry Street Christmas Appeal
Anderson Family Lawyers are dedicated supporters of Berry Street. They especially need support during the festive season, which is historically one of the busiest times of year for family violence organisations.
More than 10,000 children in Victoria will spend Christmas Day in unsafe environments because of violence, neglect, and abuse. All children should be able to experience the joy of Christmas. Your donation to Berry Street will help children who urgently need to be placed into nurturing foster care programs and help facilitate their ongoing recovery from trauma and abuse.
DONATE TO THE BERRY STREET CHRISTMAS APPEAL HERE
3. Anglicare Victoria Toy Appeal
Anglicare Victoria supports many young people in care every day. Your donation to the Anglicare2021 Christmas Toy Appeal will help them spread cheer to the vulnerable children who need it most.
There are two ways to support the Anglicare Toy Appeal – you can make a monetary donation to be used to buy toys for the children and young people in care, or you can choose which toy you would like to be donated.
Anglicare is currently unable to accept toy donations due to the current Government COVID-19 restrictions, but they may be able to organise a collection. Contact: partnerships@anglicarevic.org.au or by phone on (03) 9412 6182 to find out more.
DONATE TO THE ANGLICARE TOY APPEAL HERE
4. Donate a Gift Card to Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Safe Steps are overwhelmed by the generosity of the community who wish to donate items such as furniture, homewares, toys, clothes, toiletries, or other goods. Unfortunately, due to limited space, they are unable to accept them. However, they can accept gift cards to be shared with the thousands of women in need of monetary support this Christmas.
Got an office Kris Kringle planned? Instead of purchasing a gift card for your co-worker, why not purchase one on their behalf for Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre.
After having so much of their autonomy stripped away, donations of gift cards empower women who have escaped family violence to purchase what they need, when they need it, for themselves and their children.
Safe Steps request that gift cards include Target, Big W, Kmart, Woolworths and Coles supermarkets, and Baby Bunting stores. They also appreciate gift cards for children’s activities, from places such as Village Cinema, Hoyts Cinema, Chipmunk Play Centres, and Croc Play Centres.
Digital gift cards can be emailed to fundraising@safesteps.org.au and plastic gift cards can be delivered by mail to: GPO Box 4396, Melbourne 3001
MORE INFORMATION HERE
5. Big Group Hug Christmas Appeal
The Big Group Hug is a Melbourne-based 100% volunteer-run charity that works with local communities to respond to the immediate material needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families.
They are currently accepting donations of clothes, toys, and toiletries (and more) from newborn to school age to go to vulnerable Victorian families. The donated items are checked, sorted, and distributed directly to families through Maternal and Child Health Workers and other community welfare agencies. At this time of year especially, all donations go towards supporting families to have a joyous festive season as they start on their fresh path.
See the full list of wanted items HERE.
You can also make a monetary donation to The Big Group Hug’s Christmas Appeal that will go towards helping new mums in need this Christmas. They are hoping to raise $15, 000 and need our help to get there! Starting at $27, your donation will help provide formula, blankets, cots, baby carriers, prams, and so much more.
DONATE TO THE BIG HUB CHRISTMAS APPEAL
This list from the Melbourne Mum’s Group lists a number of additional organisations that are seeking similar donations this Christmas.
The Anderson Family Lawyers team wishes everyone a happy, safe, and wonderful festive season. If you need support, we encourage you to visit our Resources Page and reach out to the appropriate organisation. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
