Giving Tree: Christmas gifts to put smiles on a lot of faces

Photo of author

 

Kim Landouw from Big Yellow Umbrella and Katie Petkovski from Wests launch the Giving Tree at BYU head office in Narellan.

Last year, the Wests Group Macarthur and Big Yellow Umbrella Giving Tree Appeal helped deliver around 500 gifts to vulnerable and disadvantaged families.

The two organisations have joined forces once again this year and hope to at least match the Giving Tree effort of 2020.

The 2021 Giving Tree Appeal will be running until Wednesday, December 8 and there are plenty of places close to most local residents where they can drop off their contribution to this great Christmas appeal.

New and unwrapped Christmas gifts for children of all ages can be placed undern the Giving Trees set up across all Wests Group Macarthur venues, including Wests League Club Leumeah, Country Club Gledswood Hills, Lakeside Golf Club Camden.

Other locations for 2021 Giving Trees are Narellan Town Centre, Storage Kings, NAB Macarthur branches and Macarthur Square.

All Wests Giving Trees will feature pre-labelled gift tags by age, stage and gender that can be taken off the tree to purchase gifts or attached to a donated gift bought into the venues.

Gifts for adults including mums and dads are also welcome – as well as items that can go toward a special  Christmas Day experience such as tableware and decorations.

Wests staff members Katie Petkovski and Kurtis Tolnay share donations from the Giving Tree at Wests League Club.

“This year at Big Yellow Umbrella we have seen a significant increase for food hampers and service provision and can estimate the need for gifts will be at an all-time high due to the impacts of Covid-19,’’ says Kim Landouw from Big Yellow Umbrella.

“After another year of so many challenges, isolation, and emotional and financial stress, we expect the Christmas period will possibly be one of the hardest times some families have ever faced.

“Giving Trees is an important initiative that will put smiles on the faces of those who really need it.”

Community volunteers have been invited to the Giving Tree gift wrapping day at Wests Leagues Club Campbelltown on December 10.

“It is an honour to once again partner with Big Yellow Umbrella Giving Tree to deliver joy to those that need it most, especially after the most challenging of years,’’ says Wests Group chairman Alan Buxton.

“Through the generous donation of gifts, we can offer disadvantaged families and children in Macarthur the chance to experience the excitement and joy of Christmas.

“We appreciate our wonderful members and the wider community who no doubt will get involved and contribute to the Giving Tree in any way they possibly can.”

Leave a Comment