Support for Queenslanders through Christmas charity donations

• Palaszczuk Government donates $400,000 to Christmas appeals
• The Smith Family, Salvation Army, UnitingCare Community and St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland each receive $100,000

The Palaszczuk Government has kickstarted the Christmas appeals of four major charitable organisations through a $100,000 donation to each. 

The donations will support vulnerable Queenslanders through The Smith Family, The Salvation Army, UnitingCare Community, and St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland.

The Christmas appeal goal for The Smith Family is to raise $740,000 in Queensland to support 1,764 young people experiencing disadvantage so they are motivated at school to complete Year 12. 

The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of social services and programs in Australia and supports vulnerable people at the festive season by providing Christmas hampers, community lunches, and organising events. 

UnitingCare supports Queensland children and families in need and its goal is to provide gifts, a decent meal on the table, or take care of an essential bill. 

Donations to St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland will help provide food, clothing, living expenses, and crisis support for vulnerable people who have been struggling with the global cost-of-living challenges.

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Christmas is a time for giving and sharing.

“Our government is proud to support The Smith Family, The Salvation Army, Uniting Care Community, and St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland which do such great work in our communities.

“When Queenslanders are doing it tough, these are the organisations that step up and lend a helping hand.

“Thank you to all the volunteers who will spend this Christmas caring for others. All Queenslanders are grateful of the work you do.”

Quotes attributable to The Smith Family General Manager, Queensland Alan LeMay:

“This generous donation from the Queensland Government will enable us to support even more young people through our evidence-based learning and mentoring programs, helping them to catch up and keep up at school in the new year.  

“These programs have excellent results, with 95 per cent of students who took part in our peer reading program Student2student improved their reading skills, and 75 per cent of students who took part in our after-school Learning Clubs said the extra support helped them do better in class.  

“We are so grateful for the continued support of the Queensland Government and all those who donate because, every year, you help thousands of Australian children create better futures for themselves.” 

 Quotes attributable to Divisional Commander, Queensland Division, The Salvation Army, Major Gavin Watts:

“The Salvation Army is so thankful to the state government for their continued support of our Christmas Appeal.  

“With the cost-of-living crisis beginning to affect everyday Queenslanders we expect demand for help to continue to grow.  

“These funds will help The Salvation Army ensure that those who need help, get help this Christmas.” 

Quotes attributable to UnitingCare General Manager Family, Child and Individual Support Vivien Bull:

“We know many families are currently doing it tough this year, from financial pressures, changing family dynamics, or inability to secure housing, and those difficulties can be amplified at Christmas time. 

“This year the need is greater than ever, which is why the appeal raises funds that go directly to people in need or in crisis.  

“Our teams connect with vulnerable people and provide them with what they need to help them celebrate Christmas, such as buying gifts for their children or filling fridges with food while, for others, support is provided by helping purchase schooling supplies in the new year.” 

Quotes attributable to St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland CEO Kevin Mercer:

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation and the continued support of the State Government as our Society experiences increasing numbers of calls for help in the lead-up to the Christmas period.

“This donation will help St Vincent de Paul lift the spirits of Queenslanders doing it tough this Christmas by providing food, clothing, Christmas hampers, support for living expenses, housing and accommodation and crisis support to those in need.”

Donations can be made online: 

The Smith Family - www.thesmithfamily.com.au 

The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army Australia 

UnitingCare Queensland – unitingcareqld.com.au/christmas-gift 

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland - Vinnies Christmas Appeal 2023 - St Vincent de Paul Society

ENDS