Toy drive appeals for gifts

AFTER pretty much four decades in operation the annual Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is off and running, with donations to be forwarded once again to the Salvation Army.

Launching the Bendigo Wishing Tree campaign at Lansell Plaza, Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said she was proud to make her own donation.

“If you can, I’d like to encourage you to also donate,” she said.

“Bendigo is a generous community. We take care of our own. Together we can help make Christmas special for a local family worse off than ours.”

Australia’s largest and longest-ever gift collection drive has raised millions of dollars in funding and provided over 14 million gifts to those struggling at Christmas time for over 37 years.

At the recent national campaign kickoff in Canberra, Kmart and Target CEO John Gualtieri said it’s the immense support and collaboration between Kmart’s nearly 50,000-strong team and their local Salvation Army representatives that have become the key to ensuring families have the Christmas that they deserve.

“Our teams are focused on actively giving back to these communities in which we operate – and particularly those most vulnerable groups,” he said.

“At this time of year, our teams, our customers and our partners truly embody what it means to make everyday living brighter through this appeal.”

The Kmart Wishing Tree drive runs in Kmart stores until Christmas Eve.

Donations can be made by dropping off an unwrapped gift at any Kmart store, making a financial contribution online or in-store, or through purchasing Wishing Tree Appeal Christmas products at Kmart.

Further information, including specifics on how to donate, can be found on the Salvation Army website.