THE hugely popular Christmas Kmart wishing tree appeal, which provides gifts to families in need, has been launched at the Salamander Bay store.
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For the first time, this year the gifts will be distributed to Port families registered for assistance by both the Salvation Army and Mission Australia.
‘‘We help people throughout the entire year, but at Christmas time there are always more families in need,’’ Salvation Army envoy Howard Koutnik said.
The appeal is one of the largest of its kind in Australia and this year it is hoped 500,000 gifts will be donated nationwide.
We help people throughout the entire year, but at Christmas time there are always more families in need
- Salvation Army envoy Howard Koutnik
Last year, more than 1100 gifts were donated at Salamander Bay.
Customer services manager Jodie Smith is hoping to replicate that number in 2015.
‘‘We encourage shoppers to donate something to the wishing tree, a little gift goes a long way for someone who doesn’t have much,’’ Ms Smith said.
Ms Smith said gifts did not have to be bought from Kmart, nor did they have to be wrapped.
Nelson Bay’s tai chi instructor Gloria Ferguson and her 30-plus students were eager to donate a trolley load of gifts to this year’s appeal.
‘‘At the end of every year we make a Christmas appeal donation, this year it was decided to support the Kmart wishing tree,’’ Mrs Ferguson said.
The appeal will run up to Christmas Eve giving shoppers right up until the last minute to donate.
Salamander Bay Kmart’s extended opening hours was to begin on December 1.
It closes at 10pm every day.
Here's how you can donate to the Kmart Wishing Tree appeal:
- With your gift/s in tow, take a tag from the Wishing Tree and using one end of the tag, indicate the age group and gender of who you think might like to receive your gift.
- Place the gift under the wishing tree, but don't forget to take the other half of the tag to hang on your tree at home.
- Alternatively, you can leave your gift/s at the express drop off point located at the front of the Kmart store, where the Salvation Army or Mission Australia representatives will then collect them and oversee their distribution to those who need it most.
