Local organisations are throwing their support behind the 2022 Mayor's Christmas Cheer Appeal to assist in providing some festive joy for those in need.
The appeal will raise funds to buy food hampers for local residents who need a helping hand to make their Christmas special.
So far, $12,900 has been raised with a range of businesses and local groups offering their support, and others being encouraged to join in.
Bundaberg Rotary have signed up to help spread this year’s Christmas spirit through a monetary donation of $2,000, with members also keen to volunteer their time to help wrap and prepare hampers for the cause.
Bundaberg Rotary’s Matt Griffiths said the organisation was excited to be involved.
“I like the fact it’s bringing so many different groups together for a common cause,” Matt said.
“Groups like Zonta and Quota will join us to help put the Christmas cheer together to help the community’s most in-need members.
“I think it’s important for us all to remember that any one of us, at any time, can go through a bad patch in life and rely on others to help.
“It’s the right thing to do – to help others when we can.”
Matt said Rotary had secured the $2000 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal donation after helping at Nitro Circus earlier in the year.
“We like to put a cause to the fundraising we do, and so when we heard about the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal we were more than happy to help,” Matt said.
“Members helped out with setting up and crowd control at Nitro Circus.
“We like to call this sweat-equity, where our manpower is turned into funds to support the community!”
Zonta Club of Bundaberg will also be stepping up for a good cause in the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal.
President Le-Anne Allan said the club was more than happy to take part in this year’s fundraiser.
“At the time of year where family and friends come together, there are certainly others in the community who are not able to celebrate in the way they should,” she said.
“Zonta do their bit to help, and the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal is definitely one way where we can do that.
“We’ll be organising the hampers and we have hopes to get 1000 hampers this year – it’s definitely the Mount Everest of challenges!
“There will be lots of woman-power support on the day, which will help support the community.”
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey thanked those who had come on board so far.
“We have had such a great response to the appeal, and I want to say a big thank you to those businesses and local organisations involved so far,” he said.
“Every little bit of support we get is one step closer to creating a happier Christmas for those in our community who are doing it tough.”
How to get involved:
Anyone interested in learning more about how to volunteer for the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal can submit an Expression of Interest form here.
Make a donation here.
To sponsor the appeal please download the sponsorship proposal here.
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