Given the recent floods, the Wishing Tree Appeal is needed more than ever this Christmas, according to a Shepparton Salvation Army captain.
The Salvation Army and Kmart are celebrating 35 years of partnering up for the Wishing Tree Appeal, an initiative aimed at collecting donations of gifts and distributing them to those in need.
Captain Karyn Wishart said this year the appeal was “even more important than any other year” given the financial difficulties brought by COVID-19 and the floods.
The appeal began on Monday, November 21, and gifts will be collected until Christmas.
However, gifts donated by mid December will be distributed in time for Christmas Day to families living in Greater Shepparton.
Ms Wishart said this year’s appeal aimed to “make sure that people can still have that hope, that joy, that peace during Christmas”, as many families “have seen total devastation and have had their lives tipped upside down”.
The Wishing Tree Appeal is about people coming into Kmart, purchasing gifts and placing them under the tree at the front of the shop.
The Salvation Army is doing assessments where those wanting support can provide information about the type of support they need, such as whether they would like vouchers or toys for Christmas.
Kmart store manager Dean Iellamo said it was a great initiative, especially “for all those people who lost everything in their homes” due to the floods.
“Don’t be afraid to give whatever you can,” Mr Iellamo said.
He pointed out that items left under the tree did not only need to be toys, as there were also older people who would be receiving gifts.
“Anything that anybody can give is fantastic,” he said.
The gifts can be placed under the wishing tree at Kmart in Shepparton, but can also be dropped off to the Shepparton Salvation Army at 99 Nixon St, Shepparton.
Anyone needing support this Christmas can contact the Salvation Army on 5821 2666.