Spreading the cheer this Christmas

Mount Gambier Community Mayor’s Christmas Appeal officially launches

City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin has joined with local support agencies to launch the 2022 Mount Gambier Community Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, encouraging donations from local businesses, community groups, families and individuals.

Each year the Mount Gambier Community Mayor’s Christmas Appeal plays a critical role in ensuring that vulnerable and isolated people in our city can experience the joy of Christmas. Christmas should be a time of joy and hope, but the current cost of living crisis impact felt by those struggling to make ends meet can make it a stressful time.

The local community raised a record amount of more than $50,000 for the appeal last year, which is distributed to local support agencies, including Uniting Care, ac.care, Lifeline SE, St Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army to provide food hampers, vouchers and gifts through the Christmas Cheer program. Collectively the agencies aided approximately 750 adults and more than 620 children and teenagers last Christmas.

“Each year, I am overwhelmed by those who donate so generously,” Mayor Martin said. “Given the circumstances and hardships experienced due to the rising cost of living and housing affordability, our support agencies expect even greater demand for assistance this year.

“As mayor, I want to work towards enabling as many people as possible to experience the joy of Christmas.

“Given the challenges families are enduring this year, I know not everyone will be in a position to support the appeal, but a donation of as little as $50 can provide a Christmas food hamper for an entire family, and a further contribution can provide gifts and toys for children, which will make a big difference on Christmas Day.” Volunteering for Uniting Care, Laura Kilsby reiterated the impact of the Christmas Appeal within our community.

“If only those who donate could see the change that their support makes. The smiles on the faces of those receiving assistance demonstrate just how much relief this bit of help can create,” Mrs Kilsby said.

“We’re seeing people, even families together with their dogs, who are currently living in their cars. Many people are doing it tough in our community.

“There’s quite a lot of new faces and many people who are possibly seeking assistance for the first time – it’s not only people who are homeless or out of work, it’s those who perhaps aren’t getting enough hours or who are struggling to make their dollars stretch in the current times”.

All funds raised as part of the appeal are distributed locally.

Donations can be made through the following channels:

• Call Council on 08 8721 2555
(option 1) with your credit card details on hand. Council staff can email you a tax invoice.

• The City of Mount Gambier
customer service counter – Civic Centre, 10 Watson Terrace.

• Send a cheque to City of
Mount Gambier PO Box 56 Mount Gambier SA 5290, with advice that the cheque is a donation to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.

• Tap your card or phone at our
‘tap and go’ EFTPOS at local businesses