Consider making a donation to brighten the festive season for those in need
Vinnies spirit of giving
Making Christmas extra special for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence is St Vincent de Paul Northern Suburbs. They opened the doors to Mercy House earlier this year, a refuge providing safe, supportive accommodation for those in need on the North Shore.
This Christmas, with the community’s help, the charity will be offering gift cards for food, along with Christmas hampers, toys and gifts to a variety of people in North Sydney, Mosman and surrounding areas. This will include those experiencing homelessness, staying in local refuges and temporary accommodation, and individuals and families requiring essential support.
Lauren Leahy, Vinnies support centre coordinator, says Christmas is always one of the busiest times of the year for assistance. “Many of the requests we receive are for the most basic of needs such as food, clothing and housing,” Lauren said. “We’re extremely thankful for the generosity people have shown in previous years, and we hope that the spirit of giving continues to support those in our community facing hardship.”
To make this happen, the charity is accepting donations of non-perishable food items, particularly festive treats like chocolates, sweets and savoury snacks, along with new toys, gift cards, movie tickets, zoo passes and other fun experiences to help create joyful memories and give families a sense of normality at a difficult time.
“Every donation we receive will help to bring joy to households this Christmas,” Lauren said.
Food and toy donations must be labelled ‘Christmas appeal’ and can be dropped at the rear of Vinnies at 60 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Gift vouchers, movie vouchers and zoo passes can be taken to the Crows Nest store or emailed to: crowsnestvsc@vinnies.org.au
Financial donations can be made at: donate.vinnies.org.au/donation-hub
Starlight magic for sick children
Spending time in hospital is tough for seriously ill children, especially at Christmas time. Ken Gamma, hospital program manager at The Starlight Children’s Foundation in North Sydney, says their aim is to bring these children moments of joy, fun and laughter.
“Christmas is an especially difficult time to be in hospital for a child, where the stress and isolation associated with the treatment of a serious illness or being away from family is heightened,” Ken said.
During the year, Starlight delivers fun visits from Captain Starlight, who is trained to positively distract kids, while their Starlight Express Rooms provide a place in hospital where children can play games, create craft and watch movies. The foundation also grants children Starlight Wishes, life-changing experiences that provide hope and positivity for sick children during dark times.
At Christmas time, they bring an extra touch of magic. “Each year Starlight holds Christmas parties in our Starlight Express Rooms across Australia. These parties are a lot of fun, and they really help to bring joy and happiness to children and their families who will be spending their festive season in hospital,” Ken said. “We also have bedside visits from our amazing Captain Starlights spreading cheer and other Christmas activities to keep kids entertained and feeling connected in hospital wards.
“And of course, we deliver lots of presents!”
Last year celebrity chef Hayden Quinn and entertainer Timomatic joined in the Starlight Christmas party.
Ken says the community can help Starlight at Christmas time in a number of ways, firstly by helping to raise $1.3 million to bring joy to 410 seriously ill children by granting their life- changing Starlight Wish.
They also take donations of non-monetary goods – all must be new and in their original packaging – including toys, computers, tablets, MP3 players, gaming consoles, newly released CDs, DVDs and computer games, new furniture items, and non-perishable food items still within their use-by date. Experiences that can help deliver a positive time for sick children are also welcome.
Starlight brightens the festive season for seriously ill children in hospital with fun Christmas parties, attended by celebrities like Timomatic (far right)
“Hospital can be such a scary place for a young child and Starlight is here to help them forget about it for a while,” Ken said.
To donate to Starlight Wish, visit: starlight.org.au before 24 December.
To discuss or make arrangements for donating goods and services to Starlight, contact the team on 1300 727 827. Visit starlight.org.au for information on suitable donations.
Donating bags filled with essential items to Share the Dignity supports women and girls affected by domestic violence
Dignity in a bag
Giving hope and dignity to women and girls spending Christmas in a domestic violence refuge or homeless shelter is Share the Dignity’s It’s in the Bag campaign.
The annual Christmas appeal, which runs from 14 to 30 November, asks for donations of new or good condition backpacks, handbags or tote bags filled with essential items, and a few extra special items, for women, teen girls and mums with babies.
North Shore MP Felicity Wilson has offered her Neutral Bay electoral office as a drop-off point for the bags this November.
“My kids and I get into the Christmas spirit months in advance, but it can be a challenging time for some,” Felicity said, adding that she gets behind this campaign every year which supports women and girls who have been affected by domestic violence. “It’s personal for me, having experienced the dislocation from family violence, and I know these small contributions go a long way.”
The MP urges residents to consider dropping in a bag with essential items such as period products, shampoo and body wash.
“Your generosity will help support vulnerable women and girls, giving them hope and dignity this Christmas,” Felicity said.
Bunnings stores also takes collections of the bags. Since partnering with the store in 2016, Share the Dignity have collected over a million bags nationwide.
For a full list of what to include in your bag, visit sharethedignity.org.au/itsinthebag
Bags can be taken to Felicity Wilson’s electoral office from 14 to 30 November during business hours, suite 3, 40 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay. Bunnings stores are also collection points for the bags.
Buy a tree
The 1st North Sydney Scouts will be selling fresh Christmas trees to raise fund for their operating costs.
6 December: Northside Produce Markets at Ted Mack Civic Park in North Sydney
6 and 13 December: outside the North Sydney Demonstration School, Bay Road in Waverton
Pre-order your tree at 1ns-scouts-trees.myshopify.com/ password
Angicare Toys ‘n’ Tucker
The Bridge Church will be collecting new toys and non- perishable food items for the Toys ‘n’ Tucker program at its Kirribilli and Neutral Bay sites.
9, 16 and 23 November: Corner Broughton Street and Bligh Street, Kirribilli; 75 Shellcove Road, Neutral Bay.