Target & Uniting Church Christmas Appeal

Geraldton Store Manager, Mitch Baker, and Garth de Kock, Operations Manager at Lighthouse Church launch the Target and Uniting Church Christmas Appeal Campaign

The UnitingCare and Target Christmas Appeal has launched in all Target stores across Australia and will run through until Christmas Eve. The aim is to raise $1 million to assist families in need. Unlike previous years, customers at Target Stores will be able to simply purchase a $1 bauble gift tag at the checkout. Target will donate all the proceeds to the UnitingCare Christmas Appeal. Customers may also donate unwrapped gifts, as in the past, and leave these at the layby counter. Mitch Baker, manager at the Geraldton Store, says that there has already been a great response to the new system.

The administration of the Christmas Appeal takes place through local Uniting Churches. In Geraldton this happens through Lighthouse Church. Over many years, Lighthouse Church has sponsored a special day for the sharing of gifts with children of disadvantaged families through theTarget/UnitingCare Christmas Appeal.

This year’s Hands-on Christmas will take place from 9am to 11am on Sunday December 20th. It is a fun time for children to make Christmas craft items and hear the Christmas Story while parents choose gifts for them. Samantha Leonardis, who organizes the event, says that the response last year from the children was quite amazing. “It was the first time we did it this way and the children were a little wary at first, but in no time they were enthralled, moving from table to table to hear more of the Christmas Story and to make another craft item. It was a wonderful and emotional day for all of us. And the congregation were all involved in telling stories, helping the families and sharing the goodies”.

Any disadvantaged families wanting to share in the Hands-on Christmas should register at the Lighthouse Church office as soon as possible. Please note that the closing date is Friday December 11th.