Spreading hope this Christmas in Robina

For some of us, Christmas is a time for celebrating with family, exchanging gifts and feasting on Christmas lunch. Unfortunately, for many, Christmas is a time where people feel disconnected and alone. This year, The Salvation Army and the Kids in Care Christmas Appeal are working hard to brighten up the Christmases of those who are suffering hardship or who are away from their natural families.

The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest Christian social welfare organisations and has more than 1,650,000 members working in over 124 countries. They have been operating in Australia for over 130 years and staff deliver over 1000 specially designed social programs across the country.

This year, The Salvation Army expects to assist more than 300,000 people during Christmas, distribute nearly 500,000 toys to families in need, feed Christmas lunch to over 14,000 people and distribute 100,000 food vouchers and hampers.

Instead of sending out paper Christmas cards, Robina Group sends a digital Christmas card each year, and donates what they would have spent on Christmas cards to a charity. This year Robina Group is making a donation to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal in support of Australian families in need this Christmas time.

The Salvation Army is running several initiatives to raise funds and resources to support their efforts this Christmas. You can donate online at http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate or participate in one of their many collaborative initiatives, including 10,000 meals in 10 days, the Kmart Wishing Tree, Myer The Power of Give, or by purchasing the Myer Spirit of Christmas CD.

10,000 meals in 10 days

The Salvos aim to raise enough funds in 10 days to put 10,000 meals on the plates of Australians who need it most. You can give a meal and give hope by donating as little as $10 online at http://10thousandmeals.org.au/.

Kmart Wishing Tree

For the last 25 years, The Salvation Army has been working with Kmart to help families in need. The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australia’s largest Christmas gift appeal, having collected more than six million gifts since 1988. This year, the Appeal aims to collect more than 500,000 gifts.

Simply bring your gift into Kmart at Robina Town Centre, or make a cash contribution online or in store. Cash contributions will be converted into Kmart gift cards, allowing recipients to choose their own Christmas gift.

Follow the Appeal’s progress and keep up to date with gift ideas and local Wishing Tree events on Facebook, or visit the website.

Myer The Power of Give

The Power of Give is Myer’s new initiative, which pledges to raise $3 million over the next five years in support of the work of The Salvos at Christmas. Myer is matching the first $300,000 in donations. Get involved by making a donation at the register at Myer Robina Town Centre (or any other Myer store).

For more information visit http://www.myer.com.au/salvos/

Myer Spirit of Christmas CD

If you’re searching for a special Christmas gift for someone, or looking to update your Christmas Carol CD collection, Myer is donating the proceeds of its 2013 Spirit of Christmas CD to the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal.

The first Spirit of Christmas CD was produced in 1993, and the campaign has since raised over $7.5 million for the Salvation Army while showcasing the best Australian artists and musicians, and giving Australians something special to enjoy at Christmas. In 2011, Myer donated over $211,000,000 in proceeds from the CD to the Salvation Army.

You can buy the Spirit of Christmas CD for $19.95 in store at any Myer store including Robina Town Centre, or on iTunes for $16.99.

For more information visit http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/en/get-involved/Christmas/Our-Partners/Myer-Spirit-of-Christmas/.

ABC Kids in Care Christmas Appeal

They say ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and this is particularly true for Gold Coast City kids who cannot live with their own families.

This week is the final week of the ABC Kids in Care Christmas Appeal.

About 8,500 Queensland children and young people live in foster, kindship or residential care because their natural parents cannot provide adequate care or protection. The Kids in Care Appeal aims to make sure children who are out of their natural homes this Christmas know they’re being thought about.

Last year, more than 10,000 gifts were received and distributed to kids and young people in care. This year, the ABC is aiming to raise 8,500 Christmas gifts for boys and girls of all age groups by December 13.

Drop off your gift or voucher at the ABC Shop in Robina Town Centre, or at your local State MP’s office.

For more information visit http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/about-us/news-and-events/events/kids-in-care-christmas-appeal