Bringing joy and kindness this Christmas

THIS Christmas, the Geelong community is invited to unwrap the true spirit of the season – kindness.

Meli, in partnership with The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre, is calling on the community to support the Geelong Giving Tree Appeal, raising funds for those facing hardship during Christmas.

From now until December 10, members of the public can play a part in bringing joy to those who need it most by donating to the appeal, now in its 24th year.

Money raised will be converted into e-gift cards to brighten Christmas for children, individuals and families who are struggling to buy presents and enjoy a festive meal.

There are many ways to show support, including:

Heading to geelonggivingtree.com.au to make a donation, big or small, to help brighten the festive season for families across the region. Every dollar counts

• Get a team together and fundraise for the appeal, sign up at geelonggivingtree.com.au
• From now until December 10, pick up a 100g Giving Tree “kindness chocolate” from Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery in Bellbrae, Fresh Food Merchant in Geelong, and Peaches in Torquay
• Saturday, November 30, join the festive fun at Denis Walter’s Carols by the Bay and visit the Geelong Giving Tree Appeal marquee where you can buy “kindness chocolates” made by the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
• Sunday, December 1 – head to the Love Me More Market from 9am until 2pm at All Saints’ Parish Hall, 113 Noble Street, Newtown for Pre-loved fashion, homewares, local makers and food. $2 entry, with $1 donated to the appeal
• Now until December 10 – Visit the Paddock Bakery at Federal Mills and buy a mouth-watering “Giving Heart Raspberry Palmier” pastry and large coffee for $10, with half the proceeds going to the appeal
• Saturday, December 7 – Join the Giving Tree Appeal at Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery and make a giant lollipop topped with lollies. Enjoy free face painting from 10.30am to 1.30pm while waiting to make your giant chocolate lollipop. Cost is $10 per person, with 50 per cent of every giant chocolate lollipop sale being donated to the appeal. No bookings required
• Visit the “Hearts of Kindness” exhibition featuring almost 3,000 paper hearts decorated by children who attend Meli’s network of 30 kindergartens across the Barwon and Colac region, now on display at Geelong Regional Library Corporation libraries, Geelong Arts Centre and Geelong Gallery, as well as Colac Regional Library and Learning Centre and Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre. QR codes will be on display to collect donations, and
• Tuesday, December 10 – This is the final day to donate. Call into the Paddock Bakery at Federal Mills during the morning and pick up a coffee, with $1 from each coffee sold donated to the appeal.

The appeal thanks its partners Anthony Costa Foundation (Platinum Partner), City of Greater Geelong, Cleanaway, Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, West Carr & Harvey (Gold Partners), APCO Foundation, GMHBA, The Paddock Bakery, Denis Walter Carols by the Bay (Silver Partners), and media partners Bay 93.9 and Times News Group.

Let’s make this festive season a little brighter for all.

For more information or to donate, head to geelonggivingtree.com.au

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