A little generosity can bring joy to someone else’s Christmas. This November, our St Nicholas Christmas Giving Tree returns, bringing our community together to support children, families and people experiencing hardship through CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning.
Inspired by our namesake, St Nicholas, the campaign is an opportunity to share the joy of giving and help children explore what it means to care for others.
Sharing the joy of Christmas
Our Catholic faith calls us to love our neighbour and recognise the dignity of every person. Through our Giving Tree, we are putting that care into practice by supporting CatholicCare’s Christmas response across our community.
Donations will help provide gifts chosen around the wishes and interests of children supported by CatholicCare, as well as support services such as community kitchens that provide meals and assistance to people and families doing it tough.
A new way to give
This year, we are inviting families to donate online rather than bring a physical gift to their centre or service.
Monetary donations give CatholicCare greater flexibility to direct support where it is most needed across its Christmas programs and services.
We will share the donation link when the campaign launches in November. If your family is able to contribute, donations of any amount will be warmly welcomed.
Please donate by Thursday 10 December, allowing CatholicCare time to allocate funds ahead of Christmas.
How your donation helps
Your generosity could help bring joy to a child or provide a nourishing meal for someone in our community:
- $20 could provide a picture book and colouring set for a child this Christmas.
- $50 could provide a LEGO set chosen to suit a child’s age and interests.
- $100 could provide 20 nutritious meals through CatholicCare’s community kitchens.
Little hands, generous hearts
Our Giving Tree is also an opportunity for children to experience kindness and generosity in ways they can understand.
At our Early Education centres, children will be invited to decorate an ornament to hang on their centre’s Giving Tree or take home. Our OOSH services will receive an art activity so children can join in and explore the spirit of giving.
All children are welcome to participate, whether or not their family makes a donation.
These experiences can spark simple conversations about caring for others, from sharing and helping to thinking about what might brighten someone else’s day.
Look out for more in November
We will share more soon through our St Nicholas channels, including how to donate and messages about the difference your support can make.
We look forward to sharing the joy of giving with our St Nicholas community this Christmas.
