11/17/08
On target to help needy
Choir of “Angels” helps launch UnitingCare’s Christmas Appeal at Target stores
UnitingCare and Target enlisted the assistance of 30 “angels” from the Australian Girls Choir for the Queensland launch of the 17th annual Christmas Gift appeal, held at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre on Thursday13 November.
The girls sang carols around the Christmas tree at the entrance to the Indooroopilly Target store from 4.30 pm to encourage late night shoppers to play Santa by donating a gift or gift cards for a child, young person or frail older person who would otherwise not receive anything this Christmas.
Popular media identity, Channel 7’s Queensland Weekender presenter, Dean Miller, hosted the event.
This year UnitingCare aims to collect more than 150 000 gifts at Target stores throughout Australia as part of its Christmas Gift Appeal. Local UnitingCare agencies and church groups then distribute these gifts and gift cards to those doing it tough in their local community.
Each year, Christmas trees are placed at the entrance of all 285 Target and Target Country stores in Australia, with the local community invited to place unwrapped gifts or gift cards under the tree.
To date, the appeal has donated more than 1.5 million gifts to children, the homeless, the elderly and families in crisis.
“The current financial crisis means that this Christmas is going to be tougher than ever for families already under pressure and many Queensland children and young people will be facing Christmas this year without presents,” Anne Cross CEO, UnitingCare Queensland said.
“For families already under enormous emotional and financial pressure, not being able to buy Christmas presents for their children can push them to breaking point,” she said.
“We are hoping that Queenslanders will be especially generous this Christmas and place presents under the tree at their local Target store. These will be donated to families doing it tough in their local community before Christmas Day,” she said.
UnitingCare is one of the largest health and community service providers in Queensland and supports more than 14 000 people throughout the state every day of the year. With over 15 000 staff and more than 8 500 volunteers in 400-plus geographic locations across the state, UnitingCare Queensland delivers quality and compassionate care through its network of agencies.
The UnitingCare Queensland agencies are Blue Care, Lifeline Community Care Queensland, UnitingCare Health (The Wesley Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospitals – Maryborough and Hervey Bay and the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital) Crossroads and Wesley Mission Brisbane.
Gifts can be donated beneath UnitingCare’s Christmas tree at all Target stores nationwide from Monday 10 November until 23 December. Early donations would be appreciated.
advertisement
advertisement