Festive appeal set to help families

THE 3BA Christmas Appeal is underway for the forty-second year, supporting families in need across the city this festive season.

3BA general manager John Fitzgibbon said the last 18 months have been “tumultuous,” but having the chance to boost Uniting, Anglicare, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army’s local delivery of crisis support means “everybody who needs help… gets it.”

“We’ve always found a way to get help to anyone, down to the last minute. The agencies are going guide us as best they can, and we’re just going to do the best we can,” he said.

“How difficult it’s going to be to reach our targets this year is unknown, but it’s probably going be even more challenging than last year.

“Lockdowns were the rock in the pond, and we’re seeing the large ripples, which could continue for another couple of years.”

One hundred per cent of the funds raised by the 3BA Christmas Appeal stay in Ballarat. They are distributed to the four agencies that then provide food hampers and toys for “everyday local families in need.”

When it comes to direct donations, accepted via the 3BA Appeals web page, Mr Fitzgibbon said “cash is king,” allowing for flexibility. Toyworld Ballarat also have an appeal giving tree.

“If people do wish to make donations of non-perishable food or toys, they can do that directly at the Salvation Army on weekdays. They will collate and separate those so all four charities benefit,” he said.

While launching the appeal on air last week, ambassador and former 3BA general manager Peter Caligari announced he was stepping away from his involvement with radio, and the community fundraising initiative.

He’s spent 55 years with 3BA and has been the driving force behind the Christmas Appeal since it began in 1980.

“I will miss it, but I’m now 82 years and five months, and when you get to 82 years, every month is very, very important,” he said.

“I’ve done the Christmas Appeal my way for the 41 years, but we’re living in a changing era, and change from time-to-time is absolutely necessary.

“Now, it’s going to be the responsibility of John and his great team at 3BA to take the appeals, Christmas and Winter, to the next level. I hope the foundation I’m leaving with them can be built on very substantially.”

Mr Caligari said the appeal is an annual giving tradition for many Ballarat residents and businesses, who manage to persevere with their donations, even in tough times.

“People are just so keen still to support the appeal. Maybe not at the same level as two or three years ago, but they still want to play their part.

“They recognise that there are many families that are so absolutely desperate; the poverty level is unbelievable,” he said.

“The appeals have achieved an enormous amount over the years, but all of that has been a result of a very caring and generous Ballarat community.”