Every dollar counts for Christmas appeals

CAFS and the 3BA Christmas appeals are calling for cash donations this year, to better cater to the individual needs of families they’re supporting, and eliminate COVID-19 risks.

Cafs Christmas Appeal has already raised $10,000 to assist the 500 clients they’re caring for within their programs and services, but are asking for further cash donations or versatile gift cards which clients can use to buy something they might want, but can’t afford.

CEO Wendy Sturgess said the wide range of families they work with have had an especially “tough” year, with many in even more vulnerable situations than they were at the start of 2020, due to unemployment and financial strain.

“Our Christmas Appeal always aims to provide vulnerable children and families with the joy and love that everyone should experience at this time of the year, but in 2020, it’s even more important to support them,” she said.

“Many of the families of the children in our care, whether in foster care, kinship care or youth care, do not have the expendable income to buy gifts or food for special meals, so Cafs aims to bring that to them at Christmas.”

3BA general manager, John Fitzgibbon said cash donations are down on previous years, as expected, due to the economic climate.

But the Appeal is continuing to gather as much money for the Salvos, Uniting Ballarat, Vinnies and Anglicare as possible, as is grateful for what they have received.

“We’re doing everything we can to increase the cash component and give as much as we can to the charities. Cash gives us flexibility to target areas and age groups needing assistance,” he said.

“In terms of employment, there’s not one sector of the community that hasn’t been affected by COVID-19, so we understand it’s tough for people to give to the Appeal, but every single dollar all counts and does make a difference to a local family.

“Think of us between now and Christmas, and if you can throw a couple of dollars our way, go to our 3ba.com.au Appeal page, and make a donation to our bank account.”

Gift cards, vouchers or cash donations can be made to the Cafs Ballarat office by Monday, 21 December via the temporary office entrance at 4 Market Street. This is to allow distribution time.

A 3BA giving tree at Toyworld has also had “unbelievable” support.