By Mikayla van Loon
Heading towards its fourth year, the Rotary Club of Lilydale’s Wishing Tree appeal is once again looking to the community to help provide children and teens with presents this Christmas.
Donating gifts to young people engaged in services with Anchor Community Care and the Proactive Policing Unit, the need for variable aged items is super important.
From bikes to gift vouchers, the breadth and array of presents received last year meant every young person, from those disengaged from school to those living in transitional housing were given a touch of joy and a sense of love during the festive period.
Anchor’s Partnership and Development Lead, Lauren Gordon said that Christmas is a special time for children and young people but, unfortunately, it can be an isolated and lonely time for those who are experiencing homelessness.
“There will be children living in motels this Christmas, there will be families sleeping in tents or cars, and there are teenagers who are approaching adulthood with uncertainty and instability,” she said.
“That’s what makes the Rotary Wishing Tree Project so important – knowing that there are warm and generous people in the community can be life changing for young people.”
Ms Gordon said while gifts for the little ones are a must and equally as necessary, the positive reinforcement a gift could have on an older teen may be invaluable at Christmas time.
“This year, we are hoping to see more gifts for the 16-18 year old age group. Our MyLife Project supports young people at this age who have come through the residential care system, and a simple act of generosity can really lift them up,” she said.
“The way everyone comes together is incredible – if you haven’t had a chance to donate presents, we would love to see more people jump on board and spread some magic this Christmas.
“The campaign puts smiles on the faces of young people every year. It has grown into a really magical initiative – if you haven’t had a chance to donate presents, we would love to see more people jump on board and spread some magic this Christmas.”
This year, Anchor has put together a general list of the number of children within each age range to allow gift givers to understand what is needed and who the gift will go to.
In addition to gifting presents on their own, Rotary project organisers Gerry and Anne Van Horick have set up a MyCause page to allow people to donate, which will then be converted into gift vouchers.
“In previous years, that’s always been the more difficult part. We get lots of gifts up to a certain age but for the teenagers, they’re the ones who probably need a voucher instead,” Mr Van Horick said.
The appeal officially launched on Monday 28 October with participating businesses beginning to receive their collection box.
And as demand for support grows year on year, so too does the interest from local businesses around the Yarra Ranges to support a worthy cause.
The list, which began with just 14 businesses, has grown to over 30, with more still jumping on board.
This year presents can be dropped off to the Children’s House of Early Learning centres, CIRE’s hubs, Bendigo Community Bank Mooroolbark and Mount Evelyn, Lilydale Library, Emerald Family Dental Care, Evelyn Ridge Retirement Village, Fully Promoted, Genesis Health and Fitness, Heritage and Heritage Funerals, Lilydale Heights College, Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes, Lakeview Kindergarten and Childcare, Lilydale Marketplace Shopping Centre, Manchester Road Dental Surgery, MiCare- Beatrix Village, Mingarra Retirement Village, Monbulk Family Dental Care, Mt Evelyn Medical Clinic, Papilio Early Learning Centre Croydon, Physica Yarra Valley, Swinburne Children’s Centre and The Running Company.
Donations can be made until the first week of December. Monetary donations can also be made via mycause.com.au/p/356865/rotary-lilydale-2024-christmas-gift-wishing-tree-appeal-supporting-vulnerable-children-and-young-people
