MEDIA KIT
UnitingCare’s Christmas Appeal - Operation Santa
UnitingCare and Target Australia have joined forces for the 19th year of UnitingCare’s Christmas
Appeal, Operation Santa, to spread Christmas joy to people experiencing financial and emotional
crisis over the festive season.
This Christmas season, we are calling on people to spread the joy of Christmas by generously
donating gifts at Target and Target Country stores across Australia.
Media Enquiries
Ingrid Hoff, Media and Communication Officer
T: 02 9376 1415
E: ingridh@nsw.uca.org.au
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Our Call to Action
An estimated two million people (including more than one in 10 children) still live in poverty
and thousands continue to seek support each day. UnitingCare agencies continue to be
overloaded with requests for its relief services and this demand always spikes around
Christmas time.
With rises in the cost of living and a growing shortage of affordable housing, there continues
to be so many who are suffering financial hardship. There are children, teenagers, families
and older people who can’t afford to celebrate Christmas with gifts. On top of this, the
emotional pressure of being unable to provide gifts for loved ones can push them to breaking
point.
We’re asking the public to dig deep when they are buying for their loved ones and use their
Christmas spirit to bring love, joy and hope to those in our community who are less fortunate.
How Can People Help?
•
Visit the nearest Target or Target Country store and spot the large red Christmas
tree
•
Take a gift tag from the tree and purchase or make a gift for someone in need.
Specified ages and genders are an option for those people wishing to give a
particular gift.
•
Place your gift underneath the tree. Alternatively, gift cards can be purchased from
Target checkouts.
Where do the Gifts go?
Gifts are collected by UnitingCare representatives and taken to UnitingCare agencies, and in
some cases Uniting Church organisations, who distribute the gifts to local people in need in time
for Christmas morning. Gift recipients include disadvantaged children, homeless young people,
families in crisis and lonely older people.
Key Messages
•
Make a difference this Christmas. Share your Christmas spirit and bring love, joy and
hope to a local person in need by placing a gift under the Christmas tree at your
nearest Target or Target country store.
•
Gifts can be donated from Monday 15 November until Thursday 23 December but
people are encouraged to donate as early as possible.
•
Everyday, thousands of people seek the support of UnitingCare relief services and
expectedly, their need for support during the Christmas period increases.
•
This year, with rises in the cost of living and a growing shortage of affordable housing,
everyone has felt the pinch to some extent but it’s easy to forget that those most
disadvantaged suffer more. There are children, young people, families and older
people who often can’t afford to celebrate Christmas with gifts.
•
Help us collect 100,000 gifts this Christmas as we show the caring sprit of local
generosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has the appeal been running?
The UnitingCare Christmas Appeal began in 1992.
How many people have been helped by this appeal since it began?
Since the appeal started, 1.7 million Australian children, homeless young people, lonely older
people and families in crisis have received an unexpected gift donated at Target.
How many gifts were donated last year?
Last year, a total of 69,080 (including 65,016 gifts and $81,030 worth of gift cards) were donated.
An additional 19,281 gifts were donated to UnitingCare through different sources.
What is the goal for 2010?
This Christmas, UnitingCare and Target are hoping to collect 100,000 gifts.
When will the appeal begin?
The appeal will launch nationally on Monday 15 November. Gifts can be donated from 15
November until 23 December. People are encouraged to donate as early as possible.
Who is UnitingCare?
UnitingCare is a national network of more than 1,300 social service sites across Australia. An
outreach of the Uniting Church in Australia, UnitingCare provides assistance and support to all
people in need. Each year UnitingCare assists more than two million people, employs more than
35,000 staff and is supported by a network of 24,000 volunteers.
UnitingCare NSW.ACT provides a wide range of services including aged care and disability
programs, services for vulnerable families, children and young people and early childhood
education and care.
Over 30,000 people throughout NSW and the ACT every day are provided with the skills and
assistance required to flourish and reach their full potential.
Our vision is a compassionate and just community in which all people belong and are able to
reach their full potential. UnitingCare works to address injustice, overcome disadvantage and
strengthen communities.
For more information on UnitingCare NSW.ACT please visit www.unitingcarenswact.org.au .
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Case Studies
We give gifts each year to a women’s and children’s refuge, which provides care and
emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence – the numbers increase year by
year! We co-ordinate, collect, and transport the gifts to this refuge – they are our recipients
every year. The hundreds of clients (mothers and their children) all receive at least one gift
(more if we have enough) and this brings a little joy into some very sad and unhappy lives.
Cessnock Uniting Church, NSW
A mother of a 15 year old boy came in for a food hamper and gifts. Her son’s bike had recently
been stolen from their family home. He had been asking his Mum to replace it, but that was
financially impossible. A bike had just been donated to the UnitingCare Christmas Appeal – the
perfect gift! The mother was overjoyed, and moved to tears of thanks.
Kippax Uniting Church, ACT
A 78 year old man, who lives alone, was struggling on his pension. He has no visitors aside
from ‘Meals on Wheels’ and medical staff. He was given a gift and was so moved by the
generosity and stated he would open it on Christmas morning.
Adamstown Uniting Church, NSW
A family with little money was unable to buy gifts for their children. We supported them by
giving toys and movie tickets. The father had tears in his eyes as he watched his children
receive presents on Christmas Day. He was so grateful.
The Wayside Chapel, NSW
An adult male has been seriously ill for two years and has been unable to recover financially
from the costs associated with his medical treatment. Last Christmas he nearly died from an
infection he received when his immune system was at its weakest. He spent a lot of time in
hospital. We were able to supply vouchers from Target and Coles Group and Myer and a food
parcel.
Wesley Mission Sydney, NSW
An elderly couple were extremely isolated from the community. They could not speak English
and they had many health issues. They have no family to support them. We encourage them to
come to our seniors group which helps with isolation. One of our workers ensures there is
regular contact with them. We often have to support them in understanding and translating
information and regularly advocate for Government departments and agencies. They feel
supported by us and know they are can always rely on our assistance. Receiving the Christmas
Hamper and presents was great as it helps them to know that people care.
Harris Community Centre, NSW
Lou, 48, and Mike, 50, support and care for Lou’s mother, 87. Mike had a serious accident
during the year and is no longer able to work. Compensation is not yet finalised. Medication
and treatment for Mike and Lou’s mother are expensive – so Christmas looked bleak. We
bought a Christmas Gift Basket for the family – added Chicken and ham – and some small gifts
for each of them. We delivered it the week before Christmas. Lou was so shocked that she was
speechless. They told me after Christmas that they had a lovely three days and felt so blessed
that we thought of them. Thanks UnitingCare for making it possible.
Ballina Uniting Church, NSW
The mother of a four year old boy was recently incarcerated. His grandmother has taken him
into her care to avoid Foster Care. The grandmother had been terribly worried because she
couldn’t afford Christmas and it was the only thing that the boy was happy about and looked
forward to. We provided a traditional Christmas lunch for over 150 people. Santa came to give
presents to the children (and adults) and we handed out food hampers to the families. The
grandmother was extremely thankful that her grandson had a Christmas Day.
Bondi Beach Community Centre, NSW