Discover spirit of giving this Christmas
If you’re looking for a way to help those less fortunate in our community this Christmas, here’s a few ideas to get you started. ‘Tis the season for giving.
Moreton Life
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FOR many, especially those who are unsure where their next meal will come from, Christmas is a particularly tough time of year.
Thankfully, there are countless charities, churches and community groups rallying to help, and you can too.
Caboolture Community Action president and client support manager Sharin Geeves says her team came to the aid of more than 2000 people in one month alone and they are already preparing for Christmas.
With assistance from the local Rotary club, the organisation will host a Christmas dinner for those in need on the Tuesday before Christmas.
Volunteers and staff will also prepare more than 200 hampers to hand out right up until December 23.
“It’s such a sad time of year. Since we’ve been doing this, I’ve realised how sad it is (for many people),” Sharin says.
She believes everyone should have something to open, and they will arrange small gifts for those who aren’t likely to receive anything.
“Our community is brilliant. It’s one of the best communities that I’ve lived in,” she says.
The team will have 100 emergency hampers on standby, in case they are needed during the period Caboolture Community Action is closed over Christmas.
Volunteers are looking for non-perishable food items including tinned hams, tinned fruit and vegetables, and canned soup. These items are especially provided to people without cooking facilities or a refrigerator.
For those who do have these facilities, fresh Christmas meats and special items will be available. Volunteers will be accepting food donations up until and including December 23.
To find out more, or to donate goods, phone 5309 4122 or 0401 378 291.
GIVIT, the online charity founded by Camp Mountain’s Juliette Wright is collecting items and money in support of the State Government’s Kids in Care appeal in the lead-up to Christmas.
The appeal aims to collect 9500 gifts for Queensland children living in care. Gifts are needed for children aged 0-17 years.
You can donate a gift card to the value of $20, money to allow GIVIT to purchase a gift locally, or you can donate a new and unwrapped gift (to the value of $20 and deliver it to your nearest Child Safety Service Centre. Visit givit.org.au/kidsincare
The Breakfast Club of Redcliffe is teaming up with Encircle and Redcliffe Uniting Church to put together hampers for the needy in the lead-up to Christmas.
They’re asking for donations of non-perishable foods including small-medium sized tinned meats, stews, soups, fruit, vegetables, as well as pasta, long-life milk, Christmas treats and more. They’re also collecting toiletries such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner.
You can drop items off at 2/508 Oxley Ave, Redcliffe, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-1.30pm. Search The Breakfast Club of Redcliffe on facebook or phone 0467 811 380.
Chameleon Youth Housing is collecting items for hampers, which will be distributed to families and young people in the lead-up to Christmas.
The team is looking for donations of non-perishable items, and Christmas treats that will bring a sparkle to the lives of people doing it tough. If you want to help, phone 3284 4805 to arrange a time to take items to their office at Kippa-Ring before December 20.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH FOR NEEDY
FOR more than 10 years, the Moreton Bay Region community has come together to spread Christmas cheer and support disadvantaged locals.
Organisers of the annual Redcliffe Community Christmas Lunch are asking you to sponsor a table or volunteer your time to help make someone’s Christmas that much jollier.
This free-to-attend luncheon celebrates all that makes Christmas Day special with a traditional holiday banquet, children’s gifts, festive entertainment and a visit from Santa.
Guests will be provided with free transport to and from the venue, Hercules Road State School, if required. Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) together with the Moreton Bay Regional Council and Redcliffe Uniting Church, are searching for residents and businesses to lend a hand at Redcliffe’s largest Christmas lunch for those in need.
MBRIT Chairman Shane Newcombe says for more than 10 years the Redcliffe Community Christmas Lunch has helped spread holiday cheer throughout the Peninsula.
“We are very blessed in this region to have an incredibly generous community that supports this event each year. If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer a small amount of time on Christmas Day to help out, it is greatly appreciated,” Mr Newccombe says.
Event organisers are looking for Christmas presents to help Santa deliver gifts to children at the lunch. Members of the community can also donate presents by dropping them to the MBRIT office at 55 Miller St, Kippa-Ring, or Redcliffe Uniting Church at 1 Richens St, Redcliffe.
When donating a children’s present please label if it is best suited for male, female or gender neutral, specify an age category, and make sure there are no perishables, such as food.
The Community Christmas Lunch is attended by those referred to MBRIT by community groups and agencies. Individuals wishing to attend are asked to speak with a participating community group before contacting MBRIT.
If you would like to support the lunch, as a sponsor or volunteer, email kate.coombs@mbrit.com.au or phone 3897 4915.
DISCOVER MANY MORE
There are dozens more Christmas appeals to choose from, ranging from big charities to church and school collections.
Contact your favourite charity, pop in to your local church and see how you can help.
Embracing the spirit of giving and teaching children to give at this time of year is the gift of a lifetime.
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