Christmas Giving Ideas – Gifts That Give Twice
This year Givewell emailed all the charities on our database asking for their ideas on how people can best give to charity this Christmas. We received an overwhelming response, and have featured three of what we believe to be the most innovative and unique ideas as our Charity Spotlights and Project Spotlight for December. But there were so many other great ideas sent into us that we have decided to also briefly list all the ideas we received below. Please pass this onto your friends to encourage the giving of more meaningful gifts that give twice this festive season. From all the staff at Givewell we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Giving! Charity Spotlights (www.givewell.com.au/charity_spotlight.asp) Environment Victoria Inc. - www.envict.org.au Sustainable Festive Season Guide Our consumption patterns are at the heart of the global environmental crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation and fresh water pollution. To assist you on your journey to sustainability, Environment Victoria has developed an online Sustainable Festive Season Guide. This guide provides information and solutions to the problems of overconsumption and waste that typically occurs over the festive season. To download a copy go to: www.envict.org.au/file/EV008_FestiveGuide_Final.pdf. For more information about the Festive Season Appeal see: www.envict.org.au/inform.php?menu=6&submenu=733&item=1687 Virtual Green Gifts That Give Back We also have great range of Virtual Green Gifts That Give Back. Rather than buying the usual boring socks and jocks you can buy gifts such as: a training session for young multicultural leaders, an intensive course in sustainable water management or a community consumer awareness training session. When you buy a Gift That Gives Back you will receive a recycled card with the relevant gift explanation and space for your name and the name of the person you are giving it to. A gift purchased through the Gifts That Give Back range is a taxdeductible donation that will help support practical projects that raise awareness, train and help Victorians to make changes in their lives and voice their concerns. To purchase go to: www.envict.org.au/inform.php?menu=3&submenu=1699&item=1701 Camp Quality Ltd - www.campquality.org.au Christmas "Fun Therapy" Shopping Spree Here's how you can go on a "Fun" Shopping Spree and make a tangible Christmas donation for a Camp Quality child living with cancer. All you need to do is fill up your shopping trolley to donate the money so we can provide loads of 'Fun Therapy' items for our very special kids. It's too easy, you just nominate for example how many movie tickets at $10.00 each you would like to donate, if it is two, then your donation is $20.00 and Camp Quality will make sure that two movie tickets are purchased as part of one of our camping programs. You may even want to pay the total cost to send a child to camp for one week - a $550.00 donation. To start shopping go to: www.campquality.org.au/help/fundraising.cfm?section=shopping_spree Christmas eCards Spread some fun & laughter around. Send a Camp Quality Christmas eCard to your friends and family this season. This Christmas help Camp Quality to raise $50,000, “do our bit” to save the planet, and send more kids to camp…just by choosing an eCard! eCards replace our previous range of paper cards. eCards are interactive, customizable and are a more economical alternative to spread some fun and laughter this Christmas. For businesses and the community with an environmental conscious, this is a great way to lower costs associated with printing and postage along with helping to save trees and reduce unwanted paper waste & carbon emissions. So if you care about the environment, why not think about sending your
friends, family, colleagues and clients a Camp Quality eCard today by going to: www.campquality.org.au/help/help.cfm?section=send_ecard_form. eCard usage is by voluntary donation. We encourage you to make a donation based on savings from postage and printing. To donate go to: www.campquality.org.au/help/donations.cfm?section=donation_form_secure Project Spotlight (www.givewell.com.au/project_spotlight.asp) Karma Currency Foundation – www.karmacurrency.com.au Australia’s first online Charity Gift Voucher Each year over one billion is spent on unwanted gifts that end up in the closet, in storage and ultimately in landfill. But imagine a gift that could feed a child, rescue an animal, protect our rainforests, educate a mind, help find cures for cancer, aid the arts, spur on spirituality or perform countless other worthwhile wonderful acts. Look no further, we’ve come up with a solution that will do all of the above and it’s called karma currency. And there is no limit to how much or how little karma you decide to spread. Remember what goes around comes around and every little bit counts. The initiative allows companies and individuals to give karma currency, Australia’s first online tax deductible Charity Gift Voucher to families or friends, staff or customers empowering them to forward the donation to the charities they care about most. They can choose to give to World Vision, Plan, Seeing Eye Dogs, Sids and Kids, Allanah and Madeline Foundation and over 100 of Australia’s top charities. In short; the aim is to make karma currency the most soulful, meaningful and enjoyable gift one can give. It’s the perfect gift for those people in your life who have everything and want for nothing. For Christmas, birthdays, bereavements, weddings, kris kringles, staff rewards and every special occasion under the sun. Plus, 100% of the value of the gift voucher reaches the chosen charity. This is achieved by charging the gift giver a small processing fee of $4.95. To find a gift go to: www.karmacurrency.com.au/browse Other Christmas Giving Ideas sent to us Wesley Mission Melbourne - www.wesley.org.au Wesley Giftshare We have a wonderful collection of gift ideas that support people who are experiencing homelessness or domestic violence in Melbourne. Ideas include: Food voucher, Baby pack, Sport & Music lessons, Emergency accommodation – family and single, Christmas pack and others. See: http://www.wesley.org.au/getinvolved/Giftshare.html SANE Australia – www.sane.org Karma Currency We are partnering with Karma Currency since they are conducting publicity at this time and also because a corporate supporter finds printing off vouchers to go on their Christmas tree beneficial. To donate see: http://www.karmacurrency.com.au/browse/charity.aspx?pid=71&type=ch&kw=sane&catid. We are also selling Christmas cards on our web front page and are participating in the new Sydney Christmas Parade. Lort Smith Animal Hospital - www.lortsmith.com Lort Smith Christmas Catalogue Containing a beautiful selection of Christmas cards, gift wrap and some fantastic gift ideas, the Lort Smith Christmas catalogue will help you solve you gift idea headache this Christmas while also helping animals in need. This year we are especially excited to launch our shelter gift range; a unique selection of gift in lieu cards that helps support and rehome surrendered and stray dogs and cats. Download the catalogue here: http://www.lortsmith.com/Forms/XmasCat2007.pdf Rainforest Rescue - www.rainforestrescue.org.au Rainforest Rescue’s Gift Cards Give to your family and friends and give to our environment at the same time this Christmas with Rainforest Rescue gift cards. There are two kinds of gift cards, one to save the rainforests at Daintree and one to plant rainforest trees and ‘the more you spend the more you save’ – our environment that is! The gift cards carry a simple message saying you have bought a gift of square metres of the Daintree Rainforest to be protected, or that trees will be
planted on their behalf. To purchase online go to: https://securepay.tphosting.net.au/rrshop/order.html Bassendean Preservation Group - www.bpginc.info Seasons Greetings Cards $3 buys a numbered seasons greetings card and a tree in Bassendean's riverpark areas. The organisation has a target of 2008 trees in 2008. For more info see: www.bpginc.info/treecards.html Oxfam Australia - www.oxfam.org.au Oxfam Unwrapped A collection of life-changing gifts - giving you the chance to give someone who has everything something special and something special to people who haven't got much at all. Your friend or loved one receives a card, showing how their gift can make a difference in our work, and the donation goes to where it’s needed most – supporting our life-changing programs. To view the catalogue see: www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au TEAR Australia - www.tear.org.au ‘Arguably, The World’s Most Useful Gift Catalogue’ Development agency TEAR Australia has come up with a way to assist some of the world’s poorest families and care for the earth this Christmas. TEAR’s new catalogue features ‘Green Gifts’ - items that benefit the planet while helping fight poverty. To view the catalogue see: www.usefulgifts.org Australia 21 - www.australia21.org.au Secure Your Grandchildren’s Future Australia 21 is an exciting and unique way to make a difference to your grandchildren’s future. It is an Australian initiative that began in 2001 and is based on a successful Canadian model. Australia 21 is an independent broker of fresh ideas for the future good of all Australians. Its goal is to bring together the nation’s best thinkers, researchers and policy makers in exceptional networks to convert good science into effective policy. To donate see: www.ourcommunity.com.au/secure/giving/donate.form?appealId=1312 Renmark Paringa Community Centre - www.rpcci.org.au My idea, from the too busy coordinator of a busy community centre Cheryl Ingerson, Centre Co-ordinator emailed this idea: Cook or make something nice: biscuits, sweets, or buy something like a tin of biscuits, or a jar of lollies and take them to a friend that you have not see for a while, or a neighbour in your area that you say hello or wave to on a friendly basis. This is an excellent way of catching up, showing you care or spreading a little cheer at Christmas. It can also be a great way to renew old friendships, take some time out in a busy life, slow down and get back in touch with what really matters. With extending a friendly gesture to a neighbour, this can help to reduce isolation for those who may be experiencing it as well as build better communities where people are more aware and care. Trees For Life - www.treesforlife.org.au Gift of Trees and Carbon Neutral There are several great gift ideas you can choose from this year: 1. Offset your family or friends’ CO2 emissions through the Carbon Neutral program. Through the program, you can offset emissions from cars, flights and energy use by paying Trees For Life to plant native trees throughout SA. You can organise to offset emissions through Carbon Neutral, or arrange to do it for a family member or friend and we will send them a certificate, related information and merchandise. 2. Buy them a Gift of Trees certificate, which will ensure Trees For Life plants native seedlings on their behalf. 3. Join loved ones up to our Visionary appeal. By supporting Trees For Life, you (and they) will be helping revegetate South Australia, preserve remnant bushland, protect rare and endangered plant species, maintain food and habitat for our native wildlife and help tackle the growing problem of climate change. Trees For Life also has merchandise available for purchase, such as wine glasses, hats and t-shirts. To order see: https://secure.caramel.com.au/treesforlife//shop/order/Default.asp
Jesuit Social Services - www.jss.org.au Abbotsford Biscuits – A Recipe for Changing Lives Jesuit Social Services’ Gateway Kitchen Program offers hand- made products using premium ingredients made by “at risk” young people, who are gaining skills and experience to prepare them for further education, training and employment. We don’t hire people to make biscuits, we make biscuits to hire young people. This Christmas the Gateway kitchen will be whipping up a variety of rich fruit cakes, traditional shortbread, hazelnut crescents, cinnamon & almond shortbread, chocolate & macadamia biscuits, gluten free flourless chocolate & almond delights, lemon & coconut biscuits, savoury parmesan rounds and our renowned and decadent dark chocolate fudge! Download an order form here: www.jss.org.au/documents/OrderformChristmas2.doc Victorian Deaf Society - www.vicdeaf.com.au Christmas Appeal for New Buses Our Independent living residential units provide accommodation for people who are not only deaf, but also have intellectual or physical disabilities. The current buses are no longer reliable, don’t have air-conditioning and are quite old and run down. They are cramped and don’t make access easy for people with even minor disabilities. To donate see: www.vicdeaf.com.au/donate-to-vicdeaf Reconnexion Inc. - www.reconnexion.org.au Christmas Donor Appeal Reconnexion’s Christmas donor appeal hopes to raise much needed funds for the volunteer telephone support program to continue providing quality support for people dependent on, or withdrawing from tranquillisers. Insomnia or anxiety can happen to anyone, at any time, and for a variety of reasons. The benzodiazepine group of drugs is often prescribed as a short term solution for insomnia or anxiety. However many people continue taking these drugs for much longer periods of time and risk becoming dependent. For more information see: www.reconnexion.org.au/main/benzodiazepines.htm. Please consider giving your support at Christmas time to help us recruit and provide intensive training for our valuable volunteers. To donate go to: www.reconnexion.org.au/main/donations.htm Jesse's Voice Limited – www.jessesvoice.org The Scooter Santa The Scooter Santa is an initiative by Jesse’s Voice. It started 3 years ago with 20 presents delivered to persons who have a disability. In 2007, 120 presents will be delivered. To donate email: cabrita@jessesvoice.org Palms Australia - www.palms.org.au Gifts from The Fair Trade Coffee Company As Christmas approaches many of you will be looking for thoughtful gift ideas which reflect the true spirit of Christmas. Look no further than Fair Trade Coffee. There are numerous reasons why Fair Trade Coffee makes an ideal Christmas gift. 1. You are supporting the work of Palms Australia in providing skilled volunteers to requesting communities. 2. You are supporting grower communities which ensure just and fair conditions for their workers. 3. You are part of a market which rejects any model of global trade which allows human rights abuses. 4. Your gift will be used by the recipient - rather than simply being clutter gathering dust on a shelf. 5. Your gift tastes fantastic. 6. Your gift will spread the good news about justice in trade. 7. Orders over 4kg have no delivery cost. To download an order form go to: www.palms.org.au/files/coffee_order_form.pdf or to donate go to: www.palms.org.au/donate ChildFund Australia - www.childfund.org.au Donations with a Difference Gift Catalogue Make your shopping fun and easy this year with the Donations with a Difference online shop! It's packed with unique gift ideas for your loved ones that also provide life-changing opportunities for some of the world's poorest communities. Wouldn't it be fun to give the gift of a piglet to the aspiring farmers in your life or maybe an orchard for the gardening enthusiasts? You can even buy a loo for all those bathroom hoggers! With a great range of gifts such as baby chickens, a scholarship, sewing machines and even clean water for a school, you're
sure to find something to suit all your friends and family. For more information see: www.childfund.org.au/dwd or to download an order form go to: www.childfund.org.au/static/I/M/de04895d0f8a583801468b3031c2c92e.pdf Taralye (The Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing (VIC) www.taralye.vic.edu.au Christmas Puddings Taralye is a centre in Blackburn which teaches deaf children how to listen and to speak so they that they may go on to attend mainstream school and fulfill their dreams alongside their hearing peers. We are very proud of the work we do – these children will not have to live in a silent world! We are selling Christmas puddings in 6 fantastic flavours: Traditional, Traditional – Gluten Free, Choc Orange with Cointreau, Choc Orange with Cointreau – gluten free, Date and Butterscotch, and Peach & Cinnamon.They are 800 grams which feeds 8 people. They also come beautifully wrapped so they are great for those people who have everything. The cost is only $ 22.95. To order go to: www.taralye.vic.edu.au/index.php?categoryid=53&p1830_sectionid=6 Child Wise - www.childwise.net Preventing Child Sex Tourism Appeal Child Wise is a small Australian charity dedicated to protecting children everywhere. We are the only Australian based organisation working exclusively to prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in Australia, Asia and the Pacific. This Christmas we have chosen to concentrate on our work across South East Asia, through our Child Sex Tourism campaign and our crisis counselling to victims of child sex slavery. For more information see: www.childwise.net/preventing-child-sex-tourism.php or to donate go to: www.childwise.net/make-a-donation.php Quest for Life Centre - www.questforlife.com.au “Pink Packs” for People Living with Breast Cancer We are offering gift packs, one of which is “Pink Packs” for people living with breast cancer. The proceeds come directly to the Quest for Life Foundation to assist in subsidising people on our life changing residential programs. The Pink Packs include: Spirited Women book, Living Well with Breast Cancer CD and handmade rose soap. Cost $25.00 (save $13.00). Take advantage of this special offer by purchasing the book and CD together. Spirited Women is filled with quotes and a wealth of practical information that marries well with the CD where Petrea not only talks of regaining a sense of control to empower your healing process but also guides you through a progressive relaxation into a wonderfully healing environment. The subtle scent of roses is included with a square of pale pink, handmade soap. This is an essential gift for those journeying through breast cancer. To visit the Quest Shop go to: www.questforlife.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=107 Howard Florey Institute - www.florey.edu.au Donate to Brain Research in Australia Do your friends and family have enough socks, soap and slippers to last them a lifetime? Consider a more lasting gift this year. Make a donation to brain research in their name. For more information see: www.florey.edu.au/support/donate-to-brain-reseach or download the donation form at: www.florey.edu.au/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Gift_Giving_donation_form.pdf Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd - www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au 2007 Christmas Wonderland The 2007 Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland will be bigger than ever with over 290,000 lights and 43 themed displays. This year the event hopes to raise over $150,000 with an anticipated 60,000 people visiting the lights display. The major beneficiary is Lifeline, and in particular their Living Works Program (a suicide prevention initiative), because although we are providing a festive event, we are aware that for many in our community, Christmas is not always a wonderful time. Lifeline is inundated over the Christmas season with requests for support. For more information see: http://wonderland.burstows.com.au or to donate to Lifeline directly go to: www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au/making-donations.html
RSPCA ACT - www.rspca-act.org.au Santa Paws Pet Photos and other Gifts Santa Paws pet photos provide a unique opportunity to share the joy of Christmas with the whole family, including your pets. A professional photographer will be available to take photos of your pets with Santa at the RSPCA centre in Weston Creek on 1, 2, 8 and 9 December. For more information see: www.rspca-act.org.au/santaphotos.html Christmas Trees – RSPCA ACT will be selling real Christmas trees from its Weston Creek centre from 8 December. Come along and choose a tree which will look and smell great while also supporting the work of RSPCA ACT. At only $35, these trees represent great value. Christmas Gifts - Come and see our range of giftware and pet supplies at our centre in Weston Creek. Take a moment to consider the needs of animals in our shelter by taking a gift tag from our giving tree - $20 will buy Echo the Collie a toy kong, while Georgie the Cat would love a new collar for just $10. Many more animals in need have put their wish list on the giving tree for you to choose from – give an unwanted animal a better Christmas this year! Heide Museum of Modern Art – www.heide.com.au Heide Membership, the Perfect Gift Heide Membership is a dynamic way for you to support the Museum. Heide encourages people to donate to them for Xmas in particular via the membership program with the purchase of a Gift Membership. To purchase go to: www.heide.com.au/heide_membership.php Australian Rainforest Foundation - www.arf.net.au Give a Tree for Life and Rainforest Shop You can give a tree as a gift to a loved one and help save the rainforest - as well as the endangered Cassowary. Don't buy flowers to mark a special occasion, give the gift of life instead. Buy a rainforest tree and help save Australia's tropical rainforests. To order go to: www.arf.net.au/buytree_intro.php. For merchandise from our Rainforest Shop download our catalogue at: www.arf.net.au/merchandise/merchandise.pdf or to donate go to: www.arf.net.au/donation.html Royal Children's Hospital Foundation - www.workingwonders.com.au Christmas Appeal and 'Giggle-ogue' Please join in the spirit of giving and help work wonders for sick kids by supporting this year's Christmas Appeal. Money raised will help fund ground-breaking research and equipment, volunteer services to support families, and it will bring smiles and laughter to little faces. You can get involved by making a donation, being festive through fundraising, purchasing a gift through our ‘Giggle-ogue', and supporting the B105 Christmas Appeal. For more information see: www.workingwonders.com.au/go/learn-more/events/christmas-appeal/ The Giggle-ogue invites donors to purchase a product (such as a 'giggle'!) to help sick kids, especially at Christmas. In return, donors receive a Christmas card showing the product purchased - they can keep the card or give it to friends or family in lieu of a Christmas gift. The featured products are all centred around the Wonder Factory here at the Royal Children's Hospital, an area funded by the Foundation where kids can go to escape the realities of daily hospital life. To view the cataglogue go to: www.workingwonders.com.au/go/learnmore/events/christmas-appeal/gift-catalogue/ Bush Heritage Australia - www.bushheritage.org.au Christmas e-gifts Give a Bush Heritage e-gift to your family and friends this Christmas. It's easy. Simply choose the amount you would like to give. Provide your details. Tell us who you are giving the gift to. We'll send you a beautiful card to pass on, to show how much you care about our bush. All your Christmas gifts are wrapped up…and you will be helping save Australia's unique threatened species that now have a safe home on Bush Heritage reserves. To purchase go to: www.bushheritage.org.au/donate/default.asp?Type=xmas The Cat Protection Society NSW Inc. - www.catprotection.org.au 2008 Cat Calendars All profits from Cat Protection merchandise go towards our operating costs, so when you buy from us, you are helping the cats. Visit us at Newtown to see the full range of products available, or mail order and have your purchase posted to you at home. Gorgeous 2008 cat calendars containing many photographs of CPS cats. Price: $12.95 each plus postage. GST Included. To order go to: www.catprotection.org.au/merchandise.php
Able Australia (formerly The Deafblind Association) - www.ableaustralia.org.au Christmas Carers Appeal Can you imagine what it’s like providing 24 hour care for your child who is profoundly deaf, has an intellectual disability, is visually impaired and is also challenged by autism? The demands never end. Right now, across Victoria, there are thousands of families in this situation crying out for help. A gift of $38 can provide a family with precious ‘time out’ in the lead-up to Christmas. A gift of $110 will provide support over the summer months and $450 will provide year-round respite assistance. That’s a gift that can be a lifesaver for a family who’ve reached the limits of their strength. To donate go to: www.ableaustralia.org.au/HowCanYouHelp/Makeadonation/tabid/86/Default.aspx WA Deaf Society - www.wadeaf.org.au Gift in lieu WA Deaf Society's Christmas Giving Idea: Make a gift in lieu of a family member or friend and provide an opportunity for a Deaf or hard of hearing child to have full access and communication to participate in an activity during the Christmas holidays just like their hearing friends. To donate go to: www.ourcommunity.com.au/wadeafsociety Rocky Bay - http://www.rockybay.org.au Street Appeal This year we will be conducting a Street Appeal in the city to promote our organisation to the wider community. We are aiming to raise funds for a number of specialty items that will help improve the quality of life for our clients. To donate online go to: www.rockybay.org.au/index.cfm?objectid=30D2FC0F-A0CC-3C8C-D945B5CD388251B9 ANTaR (Australians for Native Titile and Reconciliation) - www.antar.org.au Rights Stuff Catalogue For the past four years ANTaR have produced their Rights Stuff Catalogue showcasing fantastic products made by or about Indigenous peoples and the relationships of Indigenous cultures with mainstream Australian culture. By purchasing from ANTaR's Catalogue, either for yourself or as a gift, you are showing your support for Indigenous people, and assisting to bring about moral and legal recognition and respect for the rights of Indigenous Australians. To view the catalogue go to: www.antar.org.au/shop Delta Society Australia - www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au Delta Pet Partner Therapy Dogs Delta Dogs offer animal assisted therapy and comfort to sick children in hospital, people in nursing homes and hostels. We also educate school children between the ages of 5 & 7 on safe and responsible behaviour around dogs. To donate go to: www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/pdf/donation_form.htm The Mirabel Foundation Inc. - www.mirabelfoundation.org.au 'Sense of Hope' Campaign The Mirabel Foundation was established in 1998 to assist children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family (kinship care). Our 'Sense of Hope' campaign this Christmas includes our very first range of adults and children's t-shirts for sale via our website. They are an ideal Christmas present and each t-shirt is stamped with our Collection logo which was generously provided by the very talented artist Emma Magenta. Our cookbooks featuring comedians and rock stars will help you to eat, drink and be merry this festive season. Help us give 'A Sense of Hope' to these vulnerable children and you can change their tomorrow by supporting them today. To view the collection go to: www.mirabelfoundation.org.au/collection Plan International Australia - www.plan.org.au Christmas Appeal Our Christmas appeal is asking people to donate towards our work with communities in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe where HIV and AIDS are having a devastating impact on children, their families and communities. Some examples of what donations can do include helping us to: conduct campaigns to promote behaviour change and reduce stigma amongst adults and children, so that orphans do not face discrimination. Work with children and young people to ensure they have accurate information about HIV prevention and are able to take steps to protect themselves from infection.
Train community groups on village savings and loans, to build their capacity to generate income which will help improve opportunities for families, and enable them to care for orphans without the added responsibility also being an enormous financial burden. Train children in drama, puppetry and theatre for community awareness raising. To donate go to: www.plan.org.au/ourwork/appeals/christmas2007 Ardoch Youth Foundation Ltd - www.ardoch.asn.au Ardoch Gift Catalogue This festive season why not give a gift that gives twice. When you purchase a gift from the Ardoch Gift Catalogue your donation will be helping a young person to reach their potential. There are many options and you can also choose to receive a gift card that represents your purchase. Items range from $13.80 for a weekly Met Ticket to help a child get to school, to $200 which will provide Breakfast for one child through our Breakfast Club program for a year, to $1,000 which will pay for school camp for 4 kids. Purchasers are able to request a gift card which describes the item they have purchased and has a space for them to write their personal message. All items are fully tax deductible donations and receipts will be issued to purchasers. To view the catalogue go to: www.ardoch.asn.au/4410035/ardoch-youthfoundation-making-education-a-reali.htm Assistance Dogs Australia - www.assistancedogs.org.au Super Puppy Program The Pawfect Gift. Looking for a gift for that person that has everything? Why not get a gift that keeps on giving? Sponsor a Super Puppy in training to become an assistance dog. For an investment starting from as little as $2.50 per day you can buy a present that is certainly unique. The gift recipient will receive bi-monthly updates and photos of their pup leading them through the two years of the puppies’ training. To purchase go to: www.assistancedogs.org.au/sap-xmas2.html Kildonan UnitingCare - www.kildonan.unitingcare.org.au Community Kitchen Program Kildonan UnitingCare provides vital support and assistance to over 4700 children, young people and families each year. In addition, we also provide over 6000 meals annually, and distribute over 2000 gifts each Christmas (for more information on SHARE Christmas Gift Appeal see: www.kildonan.unitingcare.org.au/share_appeal.php). Our Community Kitchen at Reservoir provides over 6,000 free meals per year to people who are vulnerable and hungry, and we find our service is overwhelmed during the Christmas and New Year period, as many of our visitors are facing issues such as social isolation and financial hardship. Although ongoing general donations will continue to subsidise parts of this program, support is needed to ensure this program continues. A generous donation of $100 will provide vital sustenance and at least 20 meals for someone who is facing hardship and disadvantage during the coming season of celebration and giving. To donate go to: https://secure4.ilisys.com.au/kildo/donate_now.php?init=true Bonnie Babes Foundation - www.bbf.org.au Pride of the Nation Pride of the Nation is a lavishly illustrated coffee table book that features our very own Australian children. For a $50 donation to the Bonnie Babes Foundation children from newborn to 15 years of age are professionally photographed by an accredited photographer with a photo guaranteed to be included in the Pride of the Nation book. The money raised will help to purchase medical equipment for prematurely born babies. The coffee table book is a lovely memento of a generation of Australian children from different nationalities and backgrounds. The Book will be on display at Parliament House in Canberra. To purchase go to: www.prideofthenation.com.au Vision Australia - www.visionaustralia.org.au Christmas Appeal Supporting Vision Australia has never been easier this Christmas! There is something for everyone, from donations and lotteries to fundraising parties and charity gift vouchers. Share in the spirit of giving and help us to enable more people who are blind or have low vision to access and participate in every part of life they choose. Give your Christmas gift to Vision Australia by choosing to support one or more of the following options: 1. Donate to our Christmas Appeal by going to: www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1131
2. Purchase Vision Australia Christmas Lottery tickets by going to www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1045 3. Purchase items from our Christmas Gift Catalogue at: www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=931 4. Attend Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight™ at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 24 December 2007. Visit www.ticketmaster.com.au to get your tickets. 5. Hold a Christmas fundraising event, such as a Christmas Party or Dinner. 6. Raise money online by creating your very own fundraising web-page and email all your friends for support; see: www.mycause.com.au 7. Purchase charity Gift Certificates as Christmas presents at www.karmacurrency.com.au 8. Give a donation when you get your gifts expertly wrapped at participating Myer stores. For more information see: www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1310 9. Purchase your Christmas Gifts at CitySaint, the first online department store where 2.5% of the sale price can go Vision Australia by visiting www.citysaint.com.au St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc. - www.vinnies.org.au Christmas Appeal This year the St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) hopes to raise $500,000 from the 2007 Christmas Appeal to go towards providing emergency relief assistance to families and individuals in need throughout the community. The Society is calling on the community to help change someone’s story this Christmas by adding a little joy to their lives of West Australians during this special time of the year. For more information on the appeal see: www.vinnies.org.au/show_appeal.cfm?table=appeals&parentid=0&id=46. Christmas cards are also available from the Society please call (08) 9475 5400 if you would like more information. A hotline 13 18 12 has been set up to allow for credit card donations or donations can be made online at: www.vinnies.org.au/onlinedonations/index.cfm Clean Up Australia Ltd - www.cleanup.com.au Clean Up Our Climate Store Clean Up now has an online store with a few practical items to help your reduce your environmental footprint and help ‘Clean Up Our Climate’. To view store items go to: www.cleanup.org.au/au/store. Or purchase a Green Gift. The lowest environmental impact gift you can give is a donation to help fund our campaigns to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment. Your friend/family member can receive an e-card or recycled paper card. $20, $50 or $100 donations accepted (tax deductible). To purchase go to: www.cleanup.org.au/donations/au/gift-donation.html SIM Australia - www.sim.org.au SIMaid Gift Catalogue What do you give to someone who has everything? Send a gift on their behalf to someone who has nothing. SIMaid has produced a beautiful range of gift cards for you to give to your friends to show you’re thinking of them and at the same time helping those in need. Gifts range from $15 to $145 and cover a wide range of ministries. To view the catalogue go to: www.sim.org.au/index.php?axn=view&newsID=6 Karuna Hospice Services - www.karuna.org.au Christmas Appeal & Raffle This year Karuna is raising money by holding a special Christmas Raffle to be drawn on the 8th of December, 3pm at Karuna’s Christmas Market and all proceeds will go towards supporting Karuna’s important work in the community. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and are available from Karuna House. For more information on the Christmas Appeal see: www.karuna.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/karuna-appeal-june-2007.pdf Rosemount Good Shepherd Youth & Family Services Inc. - www.rosemountgs.org.au Christmas Sponsors Rosemount needs to find 30 Sponsors to fund the educational and nutritional needs of the Young People who attend Rosemount’s Study Support Centre and Day Programme. Sponsorship is $1,000 per Young Person (this covers participation in both ‘Food for Thought’ and “Onwards & Upwards” for the Young Person - 4 Terms in 2008). We need 30 Sponsorships for 2008.
NSW Rape Crisis Centre - www.nswrapecrisis.com.au Christmas Appeal NSW Rape Crisis Centre is a state-wide 24 hour telephone and online crisis, support and referral service for anyone who has experienced sexual violence. It is an unfortunate fact that for some, end of year celebrations, parties, work and family gatherings will end in sexual assault. Calls to NSW Rape Crisis Centre will increase by up to 10% over this period. To donate go to: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/nswrapecrisis or for online help go to: http://svc012.wic004dp.server-web.com/ocs/home_idx.asp The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) - www.rch.org.au Online Shop Auxiliaries at the Royal Children's Hospital has developed an extensive range of Giftware for people to purchase for any occasion. We have our Luv a Bub baby range, our standard children's range of smocks, socks, pencils, etc. For ladies we have Mugs, Socks, Aprons, Tea Towels, and umbrellas. All of these products are available through our online shop at: www.shop.rch.org.au. Our prices are very competitive and all proceeds go to the Royal Children's Hospital.