THE Salvation Army and Kmart have once again teamed up for the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.
Now in its 34th year, the Appeal is Australia’s largest and longest-running gift collection, aiming to create a brighter holiday season for the most vulnerable in the community.
The campaign started on November 8 and will run through December 24, allowing shoppers to buy and drop unwrapped presents in any Kmart store nationwide, or consider making a financial contribution in store or online.
The pandemic has left many experiencing severe financial hardship; so this year’s message is ‘small gift, big heart’, where Aussies are encouraged to give what they can, however big or small.
Even the smallest gesture can go a long way and with many ways for people to give and it’s easy to take part and make a difference for someone in need whether that’s by dropping a new gift, or important essentials such as books, school supplies, socks and towels in store under the Wishing Tree or making a monetary contribution.
Funds raised will go towards providing locally responsive support services and emergency relief.
New for the 2021 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is the introduction of sustainable Wishing Trees in store which are made from 100 percent recyclable, renewable and reusable cardboard and an Express Drop Off point outside all stores for those wanting to donate without entering.
“It is so important to us at Kmart to be able to run such an impactful initiative year after year and it’s exciting to include important new elements to the 2021 Appeal, such as the sustainable trees that people can adorn with handwritten stickers,” Kmart’s community relations advisor Frankie Swithinbank said.
“We are humbled to see local groups coming together to support those who need it most.”
Thanks to the generosity of the Australian community over the years, the Appeal has raised more than eight million gifts for people doing it tough, with close to 400,000 gifts being collected and nearly $300,000 in funds every year.
After a challenging 2021 and with so many Australians experiencing financial hardship, many for the first time, the significant pressures on physical and mental health have increased the urgent need for support.
Between January and June this year, The Salvation Army’s Homelessness services provided more than 154,000 sessions of care to those at risk or experiencing homelessness, up 10 percent compared to the same time last year.
“The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is a vital opportunity for us to provide support to people right across Australia,” The Salvation Army’s captain of Richmond Victoria Corp Kris Halliday said.
“There has been an increase in financial support requests coming to us with people struggling with income and job losses, as well as a significant rise in mental health services needed.”
“We know that people have an incredibly generous spirit, and every little donation goes to helping someone in need.”
There are many ways community groups can get involved in the 2021 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, including the Small Gifts, Big Hearts Program, a free community-based initiative for schools.
This program provides teachers with activity packs filled with resources and lesson plans to help build awareness of the importance of thinking of others.
To get involved head to the Wishing Tree website and sign up to receive your free electronic pack.
Corporate Packs are also available for workplaces and explores different ways to get involved with the Appeal, whether you are working remotely or in the office.
Corporate Packs are also free and easily accessible to download via the Kmart Wishing Tree website.
