How your kindness makes a difference for Tasmanians in need.
November 26, 2019
As Christmas draws closer, your donations will make it possible for Anglicare to share gifts of groceries and other practical support.
You can choose the gift of kindness this season and give to the Anglicare Christmas Appeal.
In the lead up to Christmas, you can help us give groceries to people who need them most. Further, appeal funds will also be used to assist struggling families to prepare their children for school in the New Year. Giving is easy – you can donate online or call 1800 243 232.
The Christmas Appeal is just one of the ways we partner with generous Tasmanians all year round.
“People from all walks of life, including school students, businesses and parishes, contribute gifts of time, money, food and other items,” said Anglicare CEO Chris Jones. “This kindness is appreciated and really does make a difference”.
Your donations during 2019 have been used to directly assist Tasmanians in need.
For example, gifts from the public made it possible for us to purchase a specially trained therapy dog.
Black Labrador Amie joined Rocherlea, our mental health facility in Launceston earlier this year. His job is to provide companionship and comfort to the people we support.
Donations were also used to buy special equipment for our supported accommodation facilities.
For example, at Thyne House in Launceston an eightball table was bought for use by the young students. “It entices students away from their devices and out into the communal spaces,” said facility supervisor Jane Marks. “Now there’s a lot more socialising because the students are playing pool together”. Further, support workers also take the opportunity to connect with students. “Young people can open up and talk more over the pool table,” said Jane. “So important conversations just flow more naturally”.
Likewise, at Launceston’s Thistle Street facility, a barbeque and outside heater were purchased, equipping tenants to hold communal barbeques.
Further, through our partnership with the Anglican Church, we were able to contribute to the wellbeing of communities.
Anglicare provides grants to parishes for a range of projects. For example, a grant was awarded to the Midlands Anglican Parish. This covers a huge area from Bagdad in the south to Matthina, north of Ben Lomond. The grant enables the parish to put together Christmas hampers which are distributed through community networks to reach those most in need.
“We include a Christmas greeting and treats, biscuits, tea and coffee and also vouchers for groceries,” said parish worker Fiona Oates. “Last year one recipient emailed us to say she thought there must have been a mistake because she didn’t go to church. But we emailed her back to reassure her this really didn’t matter. The hampers are our gift to show people in our local community, whoever they may be, that we do care”.
Other parish grants have included funds towards establishing a mobile soup van in Ulverstone. As well as a weekly meal and community connection for international students at UTAS Sandy Bay.
We are well-placed to respond to local need.
We are located in Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, Zeehan, Glenorchy, Hobart, Sorell and St Helens. Plus we provide outreach services including on King Island.
