COMMUNITY members are encouraged to extend their generosity beyond Christmas this year with the Mount Gambier Kmart Wishing Tree appeal to help those in need with a practical gift.
With the festive season fast approaching, Australia’s largest and longest running Christmas gift appeal is encouraging shoppers to purchase and donate gifts for disadvantaged locals.
Back to school supplies, educational toys, books, sporting equipment and toiletries are among the suggested practical items highlighted as part of this year’s campaign.
Kmart Mount Gambier team member Katie Radley said the store was seeking to increase contributions to make a “big difference” to local battlers who will otherwise go without this Christmas.
She said the appeal was being extended beyond Christmas to help families to whenever it is needed most and ensure gifts provide a long-lasting impact.
“At Christmas time, the Salvation Army sees more engagement with their services than any other time of the year,” she said.
“Our 2018 campaign is looking at what happens to people and families in the fallout of Christmas.
“To achieve this, we are asking customers donating gifts this year to consider donating essential items.
“A gift for as little as $5 can make a massive difference – that’s the price of a large coffee these days.”
Salvation Army Mount Gambier corps officer Pam Marshall said the community’s contribution to the appeal was crucial in making a big difference in the day to day lives of those doing it tough.
“The local Salvation Army see an increase in people needing our services before Christmas and the appeal is a great opportunity for us, with Kmart, to give back to the community which we live in ourselves,” she said.
“All the gifts here will remain in this community and that is pretty amazing when you think about the number of children who will not have a great deal for Christmas, very little or nothing.
“I thank those in the partnership for supporting this.”
Since the appeal’s inception, more than eight million gifts have been donated to those in need.
In 2017, the appeal successfully collected more than 300,000 gifts.
The appeal will run until December 24 and money will be accepted until January 31.
