SA charities: A comprehensive guide to giving this Christmas
Many South Australian families and individuals are doing it tough this Christmas. Here’s how you can help our local charities and in turn, support those who need it most during silly season.
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Right now, kids across the globe are busy writing their wish lists for the man in red.
But what about the children and families who are doing it tough this year – those who might be lucky enough to receive only a hot meal on Christmas Day?
This silly season, reporter Stephanie Timotheou shines a spotlight on South Australian charities and how we can help them this Christmas – and in turn, help those who need it most.
The Smith Family
Many children living in financial disadvantage will not receive a gift this Christmas, simply because their family cannot afford it.
The Smith Family’s Toy & Book Appeal is your opportunity to bring joy into these households this Christmas.
This year, The Smith Family aims to deliver more than 81,000 new toys and 54,000 new books to 27,000 Australian children living in disadvantage.
“Christmas is a very special time for many families, but for some it can be a difficult reminder that they’re struggling more than others,” The Smith Family SA and NT general manager Graham Jaeschke says.
“Right now, there are 1.1 million young Australians struggling daily with the effects of financial hardship brought on by range of circumstances including accidents, illness or unemployment within the family.”
In addition to the Toy & Book Appeal, The Smith Family aims to raise $4.3 million nationally through its Christmas Appeal.
This will provide more than 10,000 children with essential learning support and mentoring programs in 2020.
“In South Australia, the organisation hopes to raise more than $260,000, which equates to helping more than 600 students,” Mr Jaeschke says.
Amanda Elsner has been supported by The Smith Family since 2014. She says without the charity she would not have been able to afford things that other families take for granted.
“Simple things like uniforms for my sons and money to pay for school excursions are the sorts of things I’ve been able to afford because of them (the charity),” Ms Elsner, of Port Adelaide, says.
Her son Ethan, who is about to graduate from Year 7, has been on The Smith Family’s scholarship program for five years.
Her youngest son, Connor, in Year 1, started last year.
“Through the program, the boys have help with their homework, reading and all sorts of developmental things,” she says. “The list goes on but without The Smith Family, we’d really struggle to provide our boys with things that come easily for other families.”
See thesmithfamily.com.au
Red Cross
During the festive period, when most people are busy with Christmas parties and summer getaways, giving blood is often at the bottom of their list.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood needs more than 900 people across Adelaide to roll up their sleeves between December 21 and January 3 in what will be Australia’s biggest Secret Santa exchange.
“Regent Donor Centre (in the city) needs 450 donors to prevent a possible shortage of blood stocks, vital to the treatment of cancer patients,” Lifeblood spokeswoman Jennifer Salter says.
“With many people taking time off this holiday season, we need those who can to step up and be a life-changing Secret Santa to Australian patients in need, ensuring no one misses out on receiving this incredible gift.
“If Secret Santa is about giving anonymous gifts designed to make someone’s day, then blood donation really is Australia’s ultimate Secret Santa exchange.”
A new donor is needed every five minutes to meet Australia’s growing blood needs.
Meanwhile, 150 donors are required at the Marion branch, Port Adelaide and Modbury both need 120 donors and the Noarlunga centre is looking for 100 people to give the gift of blood this Christmas.
See lifeblood.com.au
Backpacks 4 SA Kids
This South Australian not-for-profit organisation is pleading for donations to its Christmas appeal, as gift requests for children in emergency care skyrocket.
Requests for gifts are made by agencies in foster care, and services dealing with domestic violence and youth homelessness.
Charity founder Rachael Zaltron says gift requests are at the highest level they have ever been and have significantly increased since last year.
“Last year, we provided 3300 (gifts) to kids in emergency care, and we are already up to more than 4000 requests (this year),” she says.
Ms Zaltron says just 200 gifts have been donated to the organisation so far, which is concerning.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this bad,” she says.
“We are just working flat out to ensure no child who has had a present requested for them misses out this Christmas.”
Toys donated must be new, to a maximum value of $30, unwrapped and left at a drop-off point by Monday, December 9. There are more than 30 collection locations across the state, including every BankSA branch.
See backpacks4sakids.org
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MarionLIFE
Each year, not-for-profit community organisation MarionLIFE distributes Christmas hampers to families in need.
Hampers include a wide range of staple food and Christmas goodies, such as tinned leg ham and mince pies.
The charity has partnered with Foodbank SA to be able to purchase prepacked hampers at a reduced rate, but there is a demand MarionLIFE cannot meet without support from the wider community.
This Christmas, MarionLIFE is asking for donations of $36 per hamper – and they hope to distribute about 100 of them over the festive period.
Donations are tax deductible and can be made at givenow.com.au/marionlife or in person at 887 Marion Rd, Mitchell Park.
See marionlife.org.au
Over coming weeks, Anglicare SA anticipates a busy time in its emergency assistance centres.
The not-for-profit charity is urgently needing to raise $180,000 before Christmas to enable its volunteers to be there for those who have nobody else to turn to.
Your donation will support people in crisis with food, clothing and shelter, those escaping domestic violence with a place to live, the unemployed with financial counselling, and people experiencing homelessness with new clothing. Anglicare SA’s Elizabeth Mission offers a free lunch on Christmas Day where those who feel isolated can come together to enjoy the festivities and have a sense of belonging.
With the community’s support this Christmas and in 2020, Anglicare SA hopes to provide 2000 people with financial counselling, serve 26,000 meals at its Elizabeth Mission and supply 5000 people with brand new clothes.
See anglicaresa.com.au
WCH Foundation
The foundation also accepts donations of DVDs, computer and console games, headphones and iTunes gift cards.
Donations can be dropped at WCH Foundation office, 55 King William Rd, North Adelaide, before 5pm on Monday, December 16.
See wchfoundation.org.au
Feed SA
Give the gift of hope to those in need this festive season by donating to The Messenger’s Feed SA Christmas Appeal.
Just $1 can provide two meals for people doing it tough in your community.
See feedappeal.org.au
Got a story idea? Email stephanie.timotheou@news.com.au