Christmas is almost upon us. Even if you don’t celebrate this particular holiday, it’s hard to avoid all the fuss and merriment going on everywhere.
A lot of the festivities these days can be over the top and superficial and it’s easy to forget those who are doing it tough.
So how about this year you look at Christmas in a different way and see what else can be done for those around you as well as your loved ones. Because Giving is always better than Getting!
Knight Riding
Golden Bay business Yield for Coffee are collecting donations for Rally the Knights Charity Toy Run and are looking for toys (including second hand) and Party treats before the 1stDecember. So, before you Get, see what can Go. Get the family involved and see what you can come up with together.
Bonus is that you get a clutter free home in time for the holidays!
All queries can be directed to Brian McPhedran – Knights National Secretary on 0488 165 996
Wish upon a Tree
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, in collaboration with the Salvation Army, is Australia’s largest and longest running Christmas gift Appeal. Started in 1987, it has collected more than 8 million gifts, 300,000 of them in 2017 alone.
There are several ways you can donate to this amazing cause
- How about starting a family tradition of a trip to Kmart specifically to purchase a gift for the tree. Items don’t have to be purchased at Kmart though. Any new item can be donated at their stores. Just make sure that if its wrapped, indicate the age group and gender of who you think might like to receive your gift.
- Instead of pulling names out for your work place Secret Santa, pull out a different age group and donate your gift in-store
- Adding a little extra to your transaction by clicking the Wishing Tree logo on the self-serve checkouts
For more information, check out their website and Facebook pages.
#Itsinthebag
Share the Dignity are collecting handbags filled with personal hygiene products for homeless women, women at risk or women experiencing domestic violence.
How can you help?
It’s simple. First of all, choose a handbag in good condition that you no longer use. Then, fill it with items that would make a woman feel special, pop in a thoughtful note or Christmas card and show her someone cares.
Then donate your hand filled hand bag to your local Bunnings Warehouse Collection points
Chemist Warehouse have made it even easier, by putting together #itsinthebag pre-made Share the Dignity Care Bags.
Don’t have anything to donate? You can always donate your time!
Feasting together
Halo Team Mandurah are providing a wonderful Christmas meal with all the trimmings and gifts for those in our community who are homeless, at risk or in need to over 250 people over the course of the day. Each year proves to be a wonderful day with lots of people coming together to make the day magical. But of course, they cannot do it at all without help from the local community. If you are interested, please go to their Event on their Facebook page and register for more information.
They also collect for their Christmas hampers and for Back to School supplies, so check out their main Facebook page for all their good work.
City Arise Church Rockingham are also doing their Christmas Feast on the 23rd December. Another worthy cause looking for volunteers to help prepare, cook and serve catering for 250 people but most importantly want “to bless them really well and put on a lavish spread, served with love and joy.” All donations go to funding the event with any excess being given to the C.R.E.W.
Reverse the idea of Getting
Want to do something a bit different? Try a Reverse Advent calendar with your friends, family, even your school.
Instead of a traditional advent calendar of receiving items, you can encourage family participation of giving an item each day into a box which then are distributed to women’s refuges, such as The Lucy Saw Centre, in the Perth metro area to families who have been through the trauma of domestic & family violence.
Click Here for an idea of the items that are perfect for donating.
The Lab Factory is privileged to promote these events and fundraisers for our local community.
For more information about TLF Community, our Not-For-Profit hand that gives back, please Click Here