Santa made a surprise appearance at Gungahlin Village this morning, arriving by light rail rather than his signature sleigh, marking the start of Communities@Work’s annual Christmas Appeal.
Santa was joined by helpers who were delivering donated gifts from Gungahlin Village customers to the appeal and encouraging more Canberrans to do the same.
Gungahlin Village is one of many organisations that is hosting a giving tree for the appeal, with centre manager Bri Nix saying it was especially important to support those in need after this tough year.
“Connecting and supporting one another in our village and community is especially important this Christmas and throughout next year,” she said.
“That’s why we’re pleased to be hosting the Gungahlin Village giving trees again this year. We are continually in awe of the vital work Communities@Work and Rainbow Paws do in our community and we will have two Christmas giving trees located in the Centre near Coles until Christmas Eve.
“Together with Communities@Work, Rainbow Paws, Country Women’s Association Gungahlin and Canberra Metro we invite the local community to visit the donation trees and make a donation this Christmas.”
The organisation will be collecting non-perishable food, gifts and toys to be handed to those in need this Christmas. Last year alone, Canberrans donated 1,400 gifts and toys to the appeal.
A number of donation drop-off points are stationed around town, including Gungahlin Village, South.Point Tuggeranong (near Kmart), Cooleman Court, Canberra Toyota outlets, Luton Properties Tuggeranong, Gungahlin Community Centre and Tuggeranong Community Centre.
Communities@Work chief financial and operations officer, Andrew Chenery, said the organisation is proud of its strong history supporting Canberrans in need.
“Our community’s support is vital as it allows us to stock our community pantries, provide clothing for people in need, and provide essential items and services in times of crisis,” he said.
“And at this time of year, it allows us to give joy to Canberrans whose Christmas may not be such a happy time.”
For more information, please visit commstawork.org/get-involved, email [email protected] or call 6293 6500.
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