The gift of giving
Christmas is traditionally a time to stop, reflect and, where you can, give back. It may be volunteering, buying an extra gift for a stranger or forgoing a little luxury like a morning coffee to make someone else’s day a bit brighter. Small gestures can have big impacts. Here are a few ways to show some goodwill across this festive season.
AnglicareSA
Many families will be spending this Christmas in poverty for the first time due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Your donation can help to provide emergency assistance, practical support and hope to families doing it tough.
Minda Inc
Minda volunteers provide charity Christmas Gift Wrapping in the Adelaide Arcade from 1 December right through to Christmas Eve. Save time this holiday season by heading in for quality gift wrapping and with a small donation you can help raise vital funds for people with disability.
St Vincent de Paul Society
Support Vinnies Christmas Appeal by making a donation on 13 18 12 or ask what can be gifted to be included within Christmas hampers or food drives.
OzHarvest
Visit the Tree of Goodness in the Adelaide Central Market to make a donation. Every $1 enables OzHarvest to deliver two meals from quality rescued food to men, women and children in need. For each contribution a decoration will be added to the tree. Watch as the tree flourishes in response to the community goodwill.
Baptist Care SA
More than 16,000 families in South Australia are living with housing stress. Together we can offer support, solutions and hope. Your gift of $40 will help ensure the 300+ children who come to Baptist Care SA at Christmas receive a gift and know someone cares.
Minda inc gift wrapping volunteers at the Adelaide Arcade
The Smith Family
Spare a few hours to volunteer in the lead-up to Christmas or donate a new toy or book for children in need.
Hutt St Centre
Become an Angel for a Day at this city charity dedicated to helping people experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives. When you become an ‘Angel’, you will be invited into the kitchen at Hutt St Centre to help prepare and serve the meals you’ve provided, enabling you to feel the impact your donation has, and to understand the significance of a hot meal and a friendly face for people facing homelessness.
Backpacks 4 SA Kids
Donate your time to pack a backpack or wrap presents for teenagers experiencing homelessness and children who’ve had to suddenly leave their home because of violence or traumatic situations.
AnglicareSA
AnglicareSA offers emergency assistance to people in crisis; somewhere to live for those escaping domestic violence; financial counselling to the long-term unemployed, and brand new clothing to people experiencing homelessness.
backpacks filled with things for children in need, put together by volunteers at backpacks 4 sa kids
Salvation Army
Help bring Hope to families this Christmas by supporting The Salvation Army and donate a gift at locations in the city like the Central Market Arcade, the Myer Centre and Kmart. You can also choose from a list of 'wishes' online, which will then be delivered by the Salvation Army.
City Library
Give the gift of reading by donating a book for a child or teen at all three city library centres. It’ll be distributed via the library’s charity partners, HYPA and Anglicare.
Women's & Children's Hospital Foundation
Add one more present to the list to donate to the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation’s annual toy drive. This year the Foundation has put a call out for donations of new toys and games suitable for children aged 13 to 18. No need to wrap your present, as the team from the Hospital sort the gifts and choose a present for each child that they will truly love. Gifts can be brought to the WCH Foundation’s office at Ground Floor, 55 King William Road, North Adelaide, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Pay it forward
Reward a compliment with a kind word to another person. It won’t cost you a cent and just might make their day!
Reach out
You might see them every day but maybe you’ve never spoken? A quick hello, a friendly wave or a “how are you today?” is a simple way to start a connection with a new neighbour.
Remember the workers
Spare a thought for people working through the festive holidays to keep life ticking along. Whether it’s the crew collecting rubbish bins or a nurse helping you out at a hospital – a “thank you” is all it takes to show your appreciation.