CHRISTMAS shopping may be top of mind for many in Perth as we enter December, but for a number of organisations this time of year is all about the Christmas appeal.
St Vincent de Paul has pointed to the fact that Australians are expected to spend $35 billion in the lead up to Christmas this year, and is urging people to think about donating to organisations that help less-fortunate individuals.
The Salvation Army reports that the number of people requesting help from the organisation in December is double that of any other month; during the Christmas period, 300,000 people will need care from the Salvos, which will spend $3 million to provide warm meals, accommodation, personal counselling, financial support and practical assistance including clothes and food hampers.
St Vincent de Paul will spend $17.3 million helping 520,000 people across Australia this Christmas and is aiming to raise $600,000 through is appeal through community donations in Western Australia.
Western Power recently announced it is continuing its seven-year standing support of Charity Link’s Christmas appeal, which aims to distribute more than 3,000 food hampers and 18,000 toys to WA families through volunteers. Charity Link coordinates the Christmas appeal for more than 120 smaller charity organisations across WA.