The Mayor’s Christmas Appeal is back this year to help ensure struggling local families have food and gifts for their children these holidays.
“Holidays are a happy time but they’re also extremely difficult for many who are working hard to provide for their children, but are struggling with record high rent and food costs,” Mayor Frank Wilkie said.
“For those with the ability to help, this Christmas Appeal calls for wrapped gifts and gift cards, or monetary donations, to help families in hardship have gifts to open and food on the table on Christmas Day.”
Donations will be shared between five local charities for distribution to people in need.
Cr Wilkie kicked off the Christmas Appeal by donating $500 worth of gift vouchers.
Gifts and vouchers can be dropped off at several locations across the shire, until Friday, December 20:
Noosa Council, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Cooroy Library, 9 Maple Street, Cooroy
Tewantin-Noosa RSL Club, Memorial Avenue, Tewantin
“If you’d prefer to make monetary donations direct to one of the charities supported by this year’s appeal, we’ve provided each of their details on Council’s website.”
The Appeal this year will help the Salvos, Vinnies, Youturn, SunnyKids and Santa’s Classy Helpers reach more people doing it tough.
Youturn’s general manager, Community Services, Darce Foley, said many people were feeling the pinch of the housing crisis and the rising cost of living this year
“Making ends meet each month has been a struggle for so many. At Youturn’s Tewantin offices, we’ve continued to extend our offering to those doing it tough by hosting weekly dinners and breakfasts, over and above the kitchen, laundry and shower facilities.,” he said.
“Thanks to the ongoing support from funders and the community, Youturn is committed to providing relief and hope to those in need this Christmas,” he said.
Lorraine Kenway of Santa’s Classy Helpers, which gives hundreds of families in need a pre-Christmas shopping day, said demand this year was significant, with 500 families seeking help.
Jill Weychardt of St Vincent de Paul Noosaville said preparation of hampers to distribute throughout the shire in time for Christmas was well underway, with donations including non-perishable foods, gift cards and Christmas gifts greatly appreciated.
“We hope to bring some Christmas joy to families who are doing it tough,” she said.
Salvation Army Noosa’s Matthew Gluyas said Christmas was a difficult time for those in hardship.
“We help over 150 families in Noosa and over Christmas that need escalates. We want to ensure this Christmas no one is left behind, no one is in need and that there is hope,” he said.
SunnyKids welcomes donations to ensure children impacted by domestic and family violence don’t miss out on Christmas, plus receive the wraparound care they need to heal and grow.
“For many children in our care, Christmas is not a time of joy and celebration,” SunnyKids CEO, Kathleen Hope, said.
“Instead, it’s a painful reminder of what they don’t have – the gifts they won’t receive, and the brokenness in their homes.”
Visit Council’s website for details on the charities and how you can donate – noosa.qld.gov.au/mayors-christmas-appeal
“Together, we can make a real difference to those in our community who might otherwise be facing a bleak time this Christmas,” Cr Wilkie said.
