Give Gold Coast foster children another reason to smile this Christmas

Media release

December 3, 2007

Give Gold Coast foster children another reason to smile this Christmas

Minister for Child Safety Margaret Keech and the REIQ are urging Gold Coasters to help give children in foster care an extra special Christmas this year.

She’s asking Gold Coast locals to open their hearts and buy an extra gift for a child in care to show the region’s vulnerable children the community cares about them.

In the Gold Coast area there are currently 600 children in Foster and Kinship care.

“By donating a present we all can bring some joy into the lives of these children, many of whom have already suffered great trauma in their short lives.” Mrs Keech said.

“This is a chance to remind these children they are special and they deserve to have a happy Christmas.

“That’s a powerful message to send to these children - that the community is here to help them and that people do care about them.

“Foster and Kinship carers take on a heavy responsibility to ensure these children have the best chance in life.

“At Christmas we can help share their load.”

Mrs Keech said staff at the Labrador Child Safety Service Centre had already initiated their own ‘Wishing Tree’ to donate presents to the foster children they case-managed.

“This is a wonderful initiative on the part of our hardworking staff here at Labrador to help vulnerable kids and their carers,” she said.

“I would love to see this happening all over the Gold Coast, which is why I have launched this scheme here today, in the hope that kids in care from other centres will also have an extra reason to smile this Christmas.”

REIQ Chairman Peter McGrath said the organisation was proud to be involved with such a worthwhile cause.

“This Christmas gift drive aims to put a smile on hundreds of children’s faces this festive season,” said Mr McGrath.

“The Institute also congratulates the Department of Child Safety on this wonderful initiative.

“REIQ accredited agencies have very close connections with their local communities and recognise how important it is that everyone has the opportunity to experience a happy and joyful Christmas.

“The REIQ encourages everyone to take part in this initiative, which will help make a difference in the lives of some of the most precious members of the Gold Coast community.”

Gifts should be wrapped and labelled with the age and gender of the foster child the present is appropriate for.

Presents can be donated at the following locations:

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland
Ground Floor, Connaught Building
26 Marine Parade
Southport QLD 4215

Ph) 5527 1614

Beenleigh Child Safety Service Centre

Ground Level, 100 George Street

Beenleigh QLD 4207

Ph) 3884 7474

Labrador Child Safety Service Centre

Level 1, BRP House

118 Brisbane Road

Labrador Qld 4215

Ph) 5558 7201

Mermaid Beach Child Safety Service Centre

Level Shop 13, Pacific Square
2520 Gold Coast Highway
Mermaid Beach Qld 4218

Ph) 5595 7100

Nerang Child Safety Service Centre

24 White Street
Nerang Qld 4211

Ph) 5558 1888

ENDS

Media Contact: Jo Crompton 3224 7081