The most magical time of year has arrived with family, friends and plenty of Christmas cheer. With the big day centred around giving, why not give the gift of hope this Christmas?

InsideR has collated a list of local Gold Coast charities that you can get involved with this festive season to celebrate the special time by giving to those who are less fortunate.

 

Perry Cross Christmas Appeal

Christmas 2013 saw the happiest time of the year turn into a nightmare for then 17-year-old Paul Shearer and his family, when he dove into a sandbank at Burleigh Beach and broke his neck, becoming a quadriplegic.

Paul says that a cure would completely change his life, which is exactly what The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation hopes to achieve as they undertake the global study, ‘Olfactory Transplantation to Repair Spinal Cord Injury’.

“This Christmas, I’m reaching out to you. To give the gift of hope this Christmas. Please help the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation continue their tireless efforts to keep funding the team of scientists at the Eskitis Institute with this global study. A clinical trial is planned for 2018, that’s only a year away,” Paul said.

“I hope you will consider supporting their work, by making a tax deductible donation, or by signing up as a Cure Comrade, a regular giver, today for as little as $25 per month. By doing so, you can help make a cure for paralysis possible.

“I wish you all a healthy, happy and safe Christmas. You never know what’s around the corner – so live each day to its fullest.”

Through Cure Comrades you can offer a monthly donation of $25 to The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, or make a once-only donation.

The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation would also be extremely grateful if you could share the love this Christmas by connecting on social media and sharing Paul’s 2016 Christmas Appeal posts.

Get involved: https://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/perry

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/PCSRF/?fref=ts

 

LIVE TO GIVE

This Christmas, jump on board with local Varsity Lakes charity ‘Live to Give’ and support its mission to help supply disadvantaged children with essential hygiene, educational and sporting items.

Taking a packed lunch just one day this week will give you a spare $10 that you can donate to help Live to Give’s Santa put smiles on the faces of children spending Christmas at the Gold Coast Hospital – and, lets face it, that’s enough to make you smile too!

Since July 2010, over 4,000 children have received donations of toiletry packs, clothes, shoes and school and sporting supplies from Live to Give – thanks to the generosity of Gold Coasters.

Live to Give has supported ‘at risk’ children in a variety of challenging situations, including those who are homeless or living in remote areas, suffering from illness or social isolation, seeking refuge from domestic violence,  and those affected by natural disasters.

None of this would have been possible without the continued support of the generous community that assist in turning the lives of these disadvantaged children around.

Every donation small or great helps to support a child in need.

Get involved: http://livetogive.com.au/christmas-2016-appeal/

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/livetogiveprojects/

 

OZHARVEST + WOOLWORTHS CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

Make your shopping count this Christmas and purchase a $2  token from Woolworths, which has  joined forces with no-waste food charity OzHarvest to help raise over $1 million, with the aim of providing two million meals to those in need.

Last year, over $600,000 was raised from the Woolworths and OzHarvest Christmas campaign. The fundraising target has almost doubled in 2016, with the goal of helping more struggling families put food on the table this festive season.

The campaign will run from Monday 5th  December until Tuesday 27th December in Woolworths stores nationwide, and with two Woolworths supermarkets located right here in Robina, it’s easy to head over to your local store and make your contribution. OzHarvest currently runs its ‘no food waste’ programs throughout Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.

Just $2 can put four meals on the table, so every cent counts!

Get involved: http://www.ozharvest.org/news/woolworths-christmas-campaign-aims-to-provide-two-million-meals-for-ozharvest/

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/ozharvestgoldcoast/?fref=ts

 

THE SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS APPEAL

This Christmas, give the gift of community with The Salvation Army’s ’10 thousand meals’ appeal by donating a meal for as little as $10.

Ensuring those within our community don’t go hungry this Christmas , the Salvos are reaching out to continue to support those in need – as they have for more than 130 years.

Findings have suggested more than 30 per cent of the people the Salvos support at Christmas will have no one to share a meal with on Christmas Day.

This campaign is not just about feeding those in need, but also providing a sense of belonging, as this time of year can be lonely for those with nowhere to go, so please consider donating your time to this worthwhile Christmas appeal.

The Salvos are also running a ‘just gifts’ initiative this Christmas where you can purchase a gift with  funds raised channelled towards tackling poverty and injustice around the world.

Get involved: https://10thousandmeals.org.au/

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/TheSalvationArmyAustralia/app/208195102528120/

 

THE SMITH FAMILY

The Smith Family Toy and Book Appeal is one of the biggest gift drives in Australia, with the aim of  delivering 45,000 new toys and 30,000 new books to disadvantaged children across Australia.

Get crafty and create a personalised toy and book pack for a child in need who will be able to wake up to a unique and thoughtful present under the tree this Christmas.

Or, by offering a donation to the Christmas Appeal you can provide a child with access to The Smith Families’ education program and help open new doors to success, confidence and independence in life.

Of course, Christmas is only one day per year and disadvantaged children need ongoing support to reach their potential, so those able to commit to an ongoing sponsorship can provide the most rewarding gift possible – vital financial, personal and educational support for the duration of a child’s  schooling life.

Help to create a better Christmas and future for children in need across Australia this festive season by getting involved with The Smith Family.

Get involved: https://toyandbook.thesmithfamily.com.au/

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/TheSmithFamilyAustralia/