ONE dollar can make a difference, says Stanthorpe Uniting Church minister Reverend Kaye Ronalds when she discovered that last year the Uniting Care Target gift appeal helped more than 45,000 Australian families.
Members of the Uniting Churches on the Granite Belt are keen to support local families who are struggling and will work with local agencies to connect with families in need.
Australians are urged to turn a dollar into $1.5 million this Christmas. For 25 years UnitingCare and Target have partnered to brighten the lives of thousands of Australians at Christmas through their annual Christmas Appeal. One in eight Australians live in poverty and many of these people turn to UnitingCare to put food on the table, buy gifts for their children and provide temporary accommodation over Christmas. This year UnitingCare and Target are again calling on shoppers to give generously by purchasing gift tags for $1 or giving an unwrapped gift for local families in need this Christmas.
Through the generosity of customers, organisers hope to raise $1.5 million to support the many community service programs run by UnitingCare. A few dollars could help women and children fleeing domestic violence, people seeking emergency relief or children in foster care.
UnitingCare and Target are asking shoppers to donate an unwrapped gift by dropping it off at their local Target Christmas tree at the front of store. A small gift will help assist thousands of families who struggle to celebrate Christmas, something many of us take for granted.
UnitingCare Australia is one of the largest providers of community services in Australia, supporting more than two million Australians each year. It provides services to older Australians, children, young people and families, Indigenous Australians, people with disability, the poor and disadvantaged, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and older Australians in urban, rural and remote communities.
Target’s managing director Guy Russo says it’s an important time of year to give back to communities in Australia who need it most.
“We are so pleased to be partnering again with UnitingCare’s 25th Christmas appeal. Our stores love being part of this program as it touches so many disadvantaged families across Australia,” says Mr Russo.
Thanks to Target and UnitingCare Australia and the many generous people across the Granite Belt who will help us to help others this Christmas.
