Help make Christmas brighter for everyone in the community

CALLING on the community to support the 2025 Christmas Appeal, the Give Where You Live Foundation needs your help to make Christmas brighter for everyone in the community.

Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive officer Zac Lewis said with the cost of living making it hard for everyone, far too many in the community are struggling to put food on the table or find a safe place to call home.

“The rising cost of living is making it harder for many to afford even the basics. Families are skipping meals to pay rent,” Mr Lewis said.

“People are choosing between paying the bills and paying for essential medication and in Geelong, more people than ever are experiencing homelessness.

“We believe everyone deserves a chance to thrive and experience a bright, joyful Christmas. That’s why we’re working to create a fairer Geelong community and why your support means more than ever.”

One of the ways the foundation is working to help the community thrive is through its own Community Choice voucher program.

Community Choice provides access to necessities including food, household goods, and support for prescription medications to people experiencing a crisis.

A donation to the Give Where You Live Foundation’s Christmas Appeal would mean support for families like Michael’s.

Michael, a single father of two, found himself homeless after a workplace injury, mounting medical bills, and the rising cost of living left him without a home.

For months, Michael and his children moved between emergency accommodation, friends’ couches, and their car, never knowing where they’d sleep next.

Through support from the Give Where Live Foundation and Uniting Vic, Michael accessed emergency accommodation, financial counselling, and Community Choice vouchers and his story began to change.

Today, Michael is working part-time, his kids are thriving in school, and they’ll be spending Christmas in a safe, stable home.

Helping to share the spirit of giving and support families like Michael’s, Community Care Chemist has again come on board as appeal partner.

Thanks to this support, all donations to the Christmas Appeal will be doubled from Giving Tuesday, on December 2 (up to $7000).

Community Care Chemist chief executive officer Ben Flynn said they were delighted to be providing support this Christmas.

“We encourage you to give generously as we double donations for the Give Where You Live Foundation Christmas Appeal,” he said.

“Give Where You Live do great work locally, helping a lot of people and we invite you to help make Christmas brighter for everyone.”

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

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