UnitingCare West officially launched the annual Target UnitingCare Christmas Appeal in WA on Friday 18 November, in Perth’s CBD, at 100 St George’s Terrace Perth. Students from Tranby College helped create a festive environment, singing Christmas carols to those present.
One in eight Australians are currently living in poverty. Many of these people turn to UnitingCare to put food on the table, buy gifts for their children and provide temporary accommodation over Christmas. The annual Christmas Appeal helps to support people through their hard times.
This year, Target and UnitingCare are hoping to raise $1.5 million, which will go towards running many of UnitingCare’s community services. Leave an unwrapped gift underneath the Christmas tree at participating Target stores, and you could be helping women and children fleeing domestic violence, people seeking emergency relief or children in foster care.
At the launch, Sue Ash, CEO of UnitingCare West, explained what the Target UnitingCare Christmas Appeal means for UnitingCare West.
“The message of Christmas is one of hope and joy and yet we work in an environment where we see real hardship,” she said. “The reality for many people that we work with is that there is emptiness.
“The Christmas Appeal for UnitingCare West is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together to make sure that everybody can share the joy of Christmas.”
Jennifer Garlick kicked off the giving by donating $2000 to the appeal on behalf of 100 St Georges Terrace.
The Target UnitingCare Christmas Appeal will run until 24 December. Shoppers are encouraged to drop off unwrapped gifts under the Target Christmas tree at the front of any Target store or purchase a $1 bauble gift tag at the checkout. All proceeds will be donated to the UnitingCare Christmas Appeal.
For more information visit http://www.unitingcarechristmasappeal.com.au.
Top image: Students from Tranby College perform Christmas carols at the Target UnitingCare Christmas Appeal WA launch.