Give to tree appeal this Christmas

IT’S the season to be gifting and the 93.9bay and Bethany Giving Tree Appeal is calling on the community to make a difference this Christmas.

For 17 years the appeal has collected donations of toys and gifts from the local community to distribute to children and families in need.

The appeal, which launched on November 10, has distributed more than 30,000 gifts to help relieve the financial burden and stressors experienced by some during the festive season.

Close to 100 businesses, retailers and organisations across the Geelong and Bellarine regions will host Giving Trees during this year’s appeal.

BayFM program director Mark Hyland said the station was proud to be supporting the appeal for another year.

“We are continually blown away by the generosity in the greater Geelong community,” Mr Hyland said.

Running until December 15, more than 10,000 gifts are expected to be distributed to families across the greater Geelong and Surf Coast area.

The Harley Owners Group of Geelong is a longtime supporter of the initiative, passing on many of the gifts donated by the public to their annual Toy Run to support the appeal.

Bethany chief executive officer Grant Boyd said members of the public were encouraged to consider extending their Christmas shopping list to include a gift card, voucher, toy or gift for someone who may be struggling to find joy this Christmas.

“While Christmas is a time for celebration and happiness for most, for many families in Geelong and surrounding areas that’s unfortunately not the case,” Mr Boyd said

“The appeal is a great example of how willing the Geelong community is to support those who are doing it tough.”

Gifts donated to the appeal are dispersed amongst nine local community service organisations including Bethany Community Support and Kindergarten Services, Barwon Child, Youth and Family, diversitat and Matchworks/St Laurence GenU.

MacKillop Family Services, SalvoConnect Barwon, Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative and Minerva Community Services will also receive donations to distribute.

A full list of Giving Tree Host sites is on the bay 93.9 and Bethany websites.

For more information, visit bay939.com.au or bethany.org.au.