One of the most joyful parts of the Christmas season is seeing a person’s face light up when they receive a special gift from someone they care about. CareSouth’s Giving Tree fundraiser creates those magical moments for the people we support.
This year, thanks to the enormous generosity of communities across our footprint, we were able to provide gifts to more than 660 children, young people and people with disability.
With $31,000 funds raised and donated items to the value of over $13,000 received, we are proudly able to gift everyone in our Foster Care, Family Preservation, Aunties & Uncles, Shoalhaven Youth Support Services and NDIS programs.
“Many people in our communities are hurting this Christmas. We are seeing cost-of-living pressure impact families and individuals greatly this season. For the children, young people and people with disability we support, the present they receive from CareSouth’s Giving Tree might be the only one they get this year. A personalised gift can seem like a small thing to some, but it can have a big impact,” says Renee Knight, CareSouth Executive Officer – Business Administration.
Many community members contributed to the fundraiser across all CareSouth’s regional locations, including significant donations from HMAS Albatross, Peter Brown & Associates, Bendigo Community Bank Sanctuary Point, St Georges Basin Country Club, and the Bay, Basin Community Support Group, Cyclo Group, Notts Smash repairs and Fire Service Plus.
We also received a huge volume of donated toys, clothes and other items, thanks to major donations from TAFE NSW Goulburn, GoodStart Early Learning in Goulburn, Illawarra-based community group Play it Forward and St Georges Basin Country Club in Norwa.
“We know there are many ways that people can give back
during the festive season. We are immensely thankful to the individuals, groups and businesses who chose to extend that generously to CareSouth’s Giving Tree this year. Your contributions will create so many magical moments for members
of your local community this Christmas,” says Renee.
For children in foster care, the holidays can be a challenging time, navigating the confusion of feeling happy with a carer family alongside the pain of separation from birth families. Morgan Maher, Illawarra Permanency Support Caseworker, believes that CareSouth’s Giving Tree serves a greater purpose beyond gift-giving.
“For our kids, it’s more than the gift itself it’s the feeling of being seen, cared for, and part of a bigger family. Those little moments of joy remind them that they’re not alone and that they belong to a family that truly cares,” says Morgan.
When Morgan spoke with the children that he works with about the Giving Tree, they did not hesitate to share their Christmas ‘wish-lists’ with him. “One of the best things about CareSouth’s Giving Tree is that the funds and presents donated will be used by those who have a close relationship with each kid to thoughtfully select a gift that they will really love and appreciate,” says Morgan.
Gifts will be wrapped and distributed this week ahead of Christmas.
CareSouth Ltd ABN 97 065 193 035
