Mayor's Christmas Appeal to help local charities reach those in need

The Mayor’s Christmas Appeal returns this year to help local charities brighten the festive season for those in need. 

Mayor Clare Stewart and her children at the Tewantin Noosa RSL Club Christmas tree with gifts to be distributed to Noosa residents doing it tough this Christmas.

Wrapped gifts displaying the suitable age/gender of the child can be dropped off under the Christmas tree at Tewantin-Noosa RSL Club on Memorial Avenue, Tewantin, or delivered to Council’s Tewantin Chambers at 9 Pelican Street.

Gift cards and non-perishable food donations are also gratefully received, as well as vouchers for enjoyable experiences or activities.

“Your contribution will help to ensure everyone receives a gift at Christmas and that those doing it tough have food on the table on Christmas Day,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.

Donations can also be made directly to the six charities the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal supports. Council’s website has details on how to donate directly and what each charity needs.

Salvation Army Noosa’s Matt Gluyas said this year had seen more people turning to the Salvos for help.

“We’ve seen an increased demand for our services in every aspect - people seeking fuel support, food support and financial support,” he said.

“We’re in an economic crisis and people in Noosa are not exempt from that and so we’re seeing middle-class families having to access support they’ve never had to access before. 

“We’re here for them but it’s sad the level of need has increased so dramatically.”

As well as the Salvos, the Appeal supports St Vincent de Paul Noosa, Santa’s Classy Helpers, Sunny Kids, WomenKind and Youturn.

Youturn’s Kristy Stengert said 2023 had been a difficult year for many.

“Many of the people who have come to us for help this year have said that they never thought they’d need this service. And for a lot of people that is a very difficult barrier to get over,” she said.

“We’re still going through a housing crisis, the cost of living isn’t getting any lower for people so it’s been a really difficult year for everyone and at Christmas we want people to have the best, most memorable Christmas they can so giving at this time of year, if you can afford to, it is really important as it can make a real difference to someone else.”

Mayor Stewart urged everyone who was able to donate a gift card or present to do so by December 19 to ensure it could be allocated and distributed in time for Christmas.

“Nobody should miss out and together we can help make Christmas a time to remember fondly for so many who have been doing it tough this year,” the Mayor said.

For more on the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, visit Council’s website.