Premier launches The Smith Family 2019 Christmas Appeal

With less than one month until Christmas, the Premier has urged Queenslanders to help those less fortunate this festive season by donating to The Smith Family’s 2019 Christmas Appeal.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk opened the annual appeal at the Parliament House Christmas tree with a $100,000 donation from the Queensland Government.

“Christmas is a wonderful time of year for many families, but it is also a tough time for many others,” the Premier said.

“It’s charities like The Smith Family that try to make this time of year a little easier for those disadvantaged, helping them by providing toys, books and educational sponsorship.

“The Smith Family, with origins stretching back to December 1922, had made a difference to lives of thousands of people every year.

“The Smith Family believes the cycle of poverty can be broken through the education and empowerment of young Australians.

“Each year the organisation reaches out to more than 41,000 children, young people and their parents and carers across regional and metropolitan Queensland, providing resources, mentoring and out-of-school learning support.

“This Christmas, The Smith Family is reminding all Queenslanders that their generosity can change the course of a child’s life.

“My Government is proud to contribute $100,000 toward the 2019 Appeal – the first of what we hope will be many generous donations from individuals, families and businesses in the coming weeks.”

The Smith Family Queensland General Manager Alan Le May said it is a great privilege to have the continued support of the Queensland Government for this year’s Christmas Appeal.

“We thank the Premier and the Queensland Government for this generous donation which is a terrific kick start to this year’s appeal,” he said.

“In Queensland we hope to raise $600,000 with the generous support of Queenslanders.

“Funds raised will help give 1,400 disadvantaged children access to essential learning support and mentoring programs. These programs help them catch up and keep up at school, so they can go on to break the cycle of disadvantage.”

In 2019 The Smith Family hopes to raise $4.26 million nationwide, with funds to go toward learning and mentorship programs for over 10,000 children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Alongside financial donations, the charity is also accepting the donation of toys and books, with around 5,000 toy and book packs to be distributed to Queensland children as part of the annual Delivery Day on December 15.

For more information and to donate, please visit https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/donate

Photo attached (L to R): Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Warren Larson and Katherine Simmonds (parents of scholarship students Ezekial and Rhydian pictured behind cheque), Jessica Latimer (Tertiary Schoolarship student), Alan Le May (Qld General Manager The Smith Family)

ENDS

Media contact:

Zoe Russell – 0439 982 347