Christmas and the City of Wollongong Giving Tree will be a little bit different this year.
Community members looking to embrace the spirit of Christmas are being asked to donate online to the City's Giving Tree Appeal. This is a change from previous years, to reduce the number of physical gifts being accepted due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Online donations can be made directly to Anglicare and St Vincent de Paul Society who will use your donation to assist in the purchasing of food and gifts, supporting those most vulnerable in our community over the festive season.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM encourages the community to embrace the Christmas spirit and help others where possible.
"Things might look a little different this Christmas, but that doesn't change the reality that there are families doing it tough this Christmas. Please help these wonderful organisations through the annual Giving Tree to bring Christmas cheer to families, especially those with kids, in these difficult times."
"It has been a challenging year, so I encourage anyone with the capacity to donate to this great cause to do so. There is nothing purer than the joy of a child, and your donations will allow many kids who would otherwise go without to have smiles on their faces on Christmas Day," Cr Bradbery said.
The community-led Bikers Toy Run, which traditionally has always launched with the City of Wollongong Giving Tree, will also have a new look this season. This year the Toy Run will be in the form of six pop-up locations around Wollongong, with the toy run visiting each location to accept gifts and toy donations made by the community.
