Bringing Christmas cheer

Mount Gambier’s Kmart Store has launched its annual Wishing Tree campaign, setting a goal of 450 gifts to added to the national tally for the 2023 festive season.

Reidy Park School choir provided the soundtrack for the launch event with the Salvation Army and centre management also in attendance.

Last year Kmart collected more than 270,000 gifts and raised more than $370,000 for the Salvation Army with the Mount Gambier store collecting 378 gifts.

Mount Gambier store manager Brett Hosking said the Kmart Wishing Tree was run every year with the assistance from the Salvation Army, which helps thousands of people across Australia and New Zealand.

“The appeal is Kmart’s most iconic community activity and is an important part of the Christmas tradition for many of their customers,” Mr Hosking said. “This year we are super excited to be celebrating the 36th anniversary of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.”

The idea for the Kmart Wishing Tree appeal began in 1987 when an Adelaide team member suggested Kmart use its wide network of stores as gift collection points to assist charity groups at Christmas and beyond. Kmart came together with founding partner, The Salvation Army to bring the idea to life and started, what is now Australia and New Zealand’s largest and longest running gift collection appeal.

There are plenty of simple ways you can contribute:

• Place an unwrapped new gift under the tree
• Scan the QR code and make an online contribution
• Place any spare change in the collection box at the checkout
• Click the Wishing Tree on any serve self register
• Give online at www.kmart.com.au/kmartwishingtree