“A silent night, a star above, a blessed gift of hope and love.”
Donations to Anglicare’s Christmas Appeal are providing gifts of hope and practical support to Tasmanians in need.
Students at Tasmania’s three Anglican schools (Hutchins, Collegiate and Launceston Church Grammar) rose to the challenge of filling bags with pantry essentials, toiletries, small gifts and festive treats.
Every day Anglican parishes around Tasmania support local community members who are doing it tough – but they still find the time and energy to gather essentials and special items for our Christmas Appeal.
Donated items are currently being distributed to people living in supported accommodation provided by Anglicare and families participating in our community programs.
Anglicare is also very grateful for donations of money, which are being used to purchase grocery, petrol and store vouchers.
“We know that people are hurting from unprecedented cost of living pressures,” says CEO Chris Jones.
“Our frontline workers tell us there are families worried their children won’t have a gift to open on Christmas morning. They know of older people who can’t afford to fill their cars with petrol to attend a Christmas lunch, and face the bleak prospect of a day on their own. They know of teenagers already feeling anxious that they won’t have the things they need to start college on the right foot.”
Anglicare receives thanks from the people it supports in many different ways. It might be a telephone call, a text, a written card, a piece of art or a series of photos.
Last year, 60 families participating in Anglicare’s HIPPY program in Launceston and the Tamar Valley received books, toys and store vouchers. We were sent a gorgeous photo of a toddler and his new baby sibling dressed in their new outfits on Christmas Day.
One parent participating in a program in the Launceston area sent an SMS that read:
Thank you so much for today. I was able to get food, blankets, hot water bottles and things for the kids.
A young man who chooses at live at the Rocherlea Mental Healthy Recovery and Rehabilitation Service said:
It was great because I could help Dad with the Christmas groceries.
“Some of the families that Anglicare supports have been affected by family violence, while others are working hard to be re-unified with their children. Many are living in unstable accommodation. A hand up at Christmas time offers hope that things will change for the better,” says Chris.
Anglicare is also very grateful to be a recipient in this year’s ABC Giving Tree Appeal. Last year it enabled us to provide 105 individuals and families from across the State with grocery vouchers. We also supported 53 families to send their children back to school with all the supplies they needed, including back packs, lunch boxes and drink bottles, stationery and clothing.
More information
If you would like to donate to Anglicare’s Christmas Appeal, visit our website to find out how.
You can also stay up to date with the Appeal on our Facebook page.
Photo: Anglicare Home Care Worker Katrina Mazey is surrounded by more than 100 Christmas gift bags that were hand-delivered to our Collins Street office by students from the Collegiate school.
