ABC Canberra is partnering with The Smith Family to support their 2018 Christmas Appeal, for this year’s ABC Giving Tree.
Until Friday, 7 December listeners are asked to donate Christmas gifts suitable for children aged between 9 and 12, to assist The Smith Family’s Toy & Book Appeal, part of their wider Christmas campaign.
The children receiving the gifts are all from disadvantaged backgrounds who are sponsored through the charity for financial support for educational costs, mentoring and access to a range of educational programs.
This Christmas, The Smith Family also aims to raise $3.8 million and more than $180,000 in the ACT which equates to helping more than 400 students in the territory.
ACT Regional Programs Manager Olga Srbovski says the charity is delighted and grateful for ABC Canberra’s support. “As part of the ABC Giving Tree we are appealing to Canberrans to donate gifts for boys and girls aged between 9 to 12. This year there is a larger than usual number of this age group we need to provide for. Often the gifts donated are the only presents children on our Learning for Life program receive.”
ABC Canberra Editor, Michelle Ainsworth, says the ABC was keen to bolster the appeal. “Many Canberrans may not be aware of the large number of disadvantaged kids who are being supported through The Smith Family’s various education programs. As well as supporting this appeal, it is also an opportunity for ABC listeners to find out more about the work The Smith Family is doing in our region through their education programs.”
The ABC Giving Tree Appeal and The Smith Family are calling for the following suggested donations for children aged between 9 and 12:
- Sporting items
- Board games
- Books
- Craft items
- Children’s baking kits
- Back to school items
The Smith Family will also accept gift vouchers which they will use to purchase gifts on the children’s behalf.
Donations will be accepted under the ABC Canberra Giving Tree until Friday, 7 December, at the ABC’s reception, on the corner of Northbourne and Wakefield Avenues, Dickson.
In addition to this year’s ABC Canberra Giving Tree appeal, the ABC will be hosting a fundraising Trivia night at the Ainslie Football Club on Tuesday, 11 December to raise additional funds for the Christmas appeal.