Where to donate locally this holiday season
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It’s time to help spread some Christmas cheer.
Not everyone will have a Hallmark end to the year – and with the cost of living and loneliness having major impacts on the local community, for some, Christmas is the most difficult time of the year.
And you might not even know that someone is struggling.
So as our thoughts turn to those who extra support this silly season, we’ve found some local Christmas appeals where you can pay it forward and give a gift to someone who needs it most.
Giving Machines
For the first time, Giving Machines are popping up in Canberra to offer a fun and impactful way to help Australians in need this Christmas.
Located in the lower ground food court in the Canberra Centre, from Thursday 28 November until Friday 27 December, Canberra locals can effortlessly support local and global charities with just a simple tap.
Partnering with six leading charities including UNICEF Australia, FOODBANK NSW & ACT, GIVIT, Roundabout Canberra, The Smith Family and CareFlight, 100 per cent of donations go directly to charity, giving you an instant opportunity to provide essentials like clothing, meals, school supplies and life-saving medicine for those facing hardship.
Simply press the button of your chosen charity item, tap payment, and a card representing your item drops into the display bin. A digital receipt is dispensed, along with a feeling of joy.
Toora-iffic Giving Tree
Supporting over 545 women and accompanying children in the last financial year, Toora is asking for your help to ensure the women using their services and their families can have a happy holiday season.
Hosting a Toora-iffic Giving Tree, by donating toys to Toora, you can ensure a child has a gift under the tree this festive season. They’re also seeking gifts for the women in their services, such as self-care packages, vouchers for family experiences or something else that helps them enjoy the holiday season. Just make sure the gifts are new and unwrapped, so Toora can determine the best woman or child for each gift. Make sure to donate before Wednesday 11 December.
Hundreds for Thousands
This local Christmas fundraiser supports families throughout Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass, Cooma and Goulburn.
Aiming to provide 1000 families with $100 to support them over the festive season, Hundreds for Thousands is working with 10 Salvation Army centres (each with the goal of $10,000) so you can give where you live. You might just make someone’s Christmas.
Lifeline Canberra Giving Tree
Located at the Book Lovers Lane bookshop at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, the Lifeline Canberra Giving Tree invites members of the public to sponsor a call to the crisis support line, as a meaningful gift this holiday season.
It only takes $26 to fund a life-changing call to 13 11 14. And what’s a better present than the gift of hope? Visit Book Lovers Lane or donate here.
Communities at Work Christmas Appeal
Communities at Work is helping to bring Christmas to people who might otherwise miss out – and they need your help.
Ideal for individuals, businesses, or communities looking to give back, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
- Holding a virtual or physical giving tree, for either monetary donations or Christmas gifts.
- Donate food, toys, and other gifts for both adults and children to the appeal.
- Donate gift-cards of $20-$30. Communities at Work struggle to find gifts for teenagers and adults, so this is always a great option!
Find out more here.
Mix106.3’s Pack The Bus
Mix 106.3 is getting back on the bus this Christmas! Once again driving around the region to make stops to Pack the Bus full of essential non-perishable food items and toys for kids and families in need, they’ll be hitting the streets very soon.
Visiting registered workplaces, retail outlets, and schools every weekday between 9 am and 3 pm over three weeks, people can leave food and unwrapped toy items on the bus. From there, everything will be dropped off at the Communities At Work location where they will wrap and create care packs for those Canberra families in need.
Make sure to register before they hit the road.
Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Giving Tree
Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn wants to help those experiencing financial disadvantage put food on the table and gifts under the tree this Christmas.
Once again running their annual Giving Tree, they’re looking for people to collect donations of Christmas gifts and non-perishable pantry items at their school, workplace, or community collection point. It will change someone’s Christmas – and it means parents won’t have to choose between food on the table or a gift under the tree.
If you can’t donate this year, Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn is always looking for volunteers to lend a hand.
RSPCA ACT Santa Paws
Santa Paws is coming to town this Christmas! For just $25, your pet will star in two digital photos with Santa, with all proceeds going directly to supporting vulnerable animals in the shelter this Christmas.
There are limited spots available, so book now to make a difference for animals in need this festive season.
Barnardos Australia
Always doing incredibly important work in our community, this Christmas Barnardos wants to ensure that poverty won’t leave kids hungry and homeless and hungry this Christmas.
With a donation of just $35 providing a family of four a Christmas meal and $110 helping to give up to five children all the basics they need to thrive in the new year, why wouldn’t you want to donate?
Looking for more local organisations to support?
Here are some more suggestions:
- Roundabout Canberra – this local charity believes every child deserves a safe start and every family deserves dignity.
- Canberra Hospital Foundation – supporting patients of any age, for any illness, the Canberra Hospital Foundation raises funds for specialised equipment and important research.
- Rise Above – Capital Region Cancer Relief – Rise Above provides support to cancer patients and the families residing with them within the ACT, Queanbeyan, and surrounds. Their mission is to reduce the emotional and financial burden on families who have a member undergoing cancer treatment.
- ACT Pet Crisis Support –this organisation provides subsidised veterinary care for disadvantaged pet owners in the local region, aiming to avoid euthanasia, surrender, and the suffering of beloved family pets.
- Hands Across Canberra – looking for local charities to support but don’t know where to start? Hands Across Canberra was founded with the idea that community funds stay in the community. Working with more than 250 community organisations, they offer permanent support through an endowment fund, giving regular grants to those most in need.
- Karinya House for Mothers and Babies – Karinya House believes every woman who is pregnant or parenting should be surrounded with the support she needs.
- Ronald McDonald House Canberra – over 200 families call Ronald McDonald House in Canberra home each year. Creating a home away from home for families with seriously ill children to try and lessen a little bit of that burden, there are many ways you can contribute to the programs being run.
- Canberra Refugee Support – CRS helps asylum seekers and refugees in the Canberra region become as independent as possible as soon as possible.
And this is just the beginning. With endless local organisations to support this silly season, there are plenty of opportunities to lend a helping hand.
