Every year local charities support hundreds of families in need but next year the inaugural Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal will make it a whole-of-community collaboration.
Mayor Jack Dempsey joined Angels Community Group, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and the Gin Gin and Childers Neighbourhood Centres to launch the appeal which will kick off in 2022.
Local charity representatives have thrown their support behind the initiative which will help to relieve the growing pressure of supplying food hampers during the festive season.
Mayor Dempsey said the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal would see every local family in need receive identical hampers filled to the brim with festive goodies.
“We already know that the Bundaberg Region is the most giving location in all of Australia,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“Our wonderful local charities work so hard year-round to raise the funds to ensure everyone enjoys a happy Christmas – and that work will continue – but let’s join together as a community and lend a helping hand.
“No one should be going hungry, especially not during what is a special time for celebrating with family and friends.”
In 2022 the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal will continue the great work of local charities which prepare food hampers – just on a much bigger scale.
Products will be purchased by the pallet-load and a massive community working bee will see the hampers put together right before distribution in December.
Individuals will continue to register with participating charities and those groups will deliver the hampers as normal.
“We’ve already been offered the support of organisations like Rotary which are willing to provide some people power to this worthy cause,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“But this is an opportunity for every member of our community to contribute.
“Whether you can help with packing or delivering, or you’d like to donate $1 or $1000, every little bit can help to ensure every Bundaberg Region family enjoys a Merry Christmas.”
While fundraising will not start in earnest until 2022, the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal is being launched with a collectible Christmas bauble.
Just over $7 from every Bundaberg Region 2021 bauble, created by Community Lifestyle Support, will be donated to the 2022 appeal.
As part of the Christmas Cheer Appeal, a new bauble design will be launched every year.
The Bundaberg Region 2021 baubles are available for purchase for $10 from participating charities and the Bundaberg Regional Council service centre on Bourbong Street. They will also be available to purchase at the Merry and Bright Christmas Village event until sold out.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal would not start until 2022 so it was still essential to support the individual charities this Christmas.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each of our local charities for their hard work and dedication.
“If anyone is in a position to do so, please help them spread a little cheer this Christmas.”
To register your interest in keeping up-to-date with the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal for opportunities to volunteer and donate, head to the project page.
