50 ways to give

There are hundreds of ways to give to the community this Christmas. The Giving Week website

provides 50 ideas to get you started. Here’s a sample:

GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED

Almost 70% of children are willing to give up a birthday or Christmas present in return for money being donated to a good cause, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Charities Aid Foundation. Talk to your kids about scaling back your own family’s Christmas present-giving to one gift per child. Ask them to pin-point toys they have outgrown that they would like to contribute to a community group that works with children, or that can sell the toys to help fund their work. Don’t g et caught up in a pointless escalation of conspicuous consumption.

SWAP GIFTS FOR DONATIONS

Instead of giving out Christmas presents yourself, make a donation on your friends’ behalf to an appropriate community group. Give your friends a card telling them that you have made a donation and provide the receipt. Donate online through www.GiveNow.com.au. More than 1400 appeals have been listed for donations.

BUY AN EXTRA PRESENT Buy an extra toy or present this Christmas and put it in the collection box at our local shopping centre, office or church. Many department stores, such as Kmart (under the Wishing Tree) collect presents to be distributed to disadvantaged groups by community o rganisations.

GIVE THE PLANET A PRESENT; GO GREEN THIS CHRISTMAS

Download the Sustainable Christmas Checklist and see how you can tread lightly on the earth this

Christmas.

BUY AN EXTRA CAN

During your weekly grocery shopping, put an extra can of non-perishable food in your trolley and place it in the donation bin at your supermarket (visit http://www.wesley.org.au to find out more info on where to donate), or give it to groups (such as the Asylum Seekers Resource Centres) that can use y our donation to help others. Similarly, why not buy an extra can of pet food at the supermarket and d onate it to the local animal shelter.

DONATE BLOOD

You can give a gift that is more precious than money – your blood. The Red Cross is always looking for blood donors, with Christmas and New Year periods particularly important for blood donations.

Giving blood is safe and easy, and often comes with a free bikkie !

CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR ELDERLY NEIGHBOURS NEED SOME HELP

If you have elderly friends or neighbours who are housebound (or jus t struggle to get out) offer to help them with their Christmas shopping or other errands.

PROVIDE A BREAK FOR A CARER

If your friend or neighbour is a fulltime carer , offer to step in and help for a couple of hours. Giving them time to get out and do a bit of shopping, present buying or to just have a break is a real gift.

VOLUNTEER FOR CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Many people put up their hand to help prepare and serve lunch at “soup kitchens” around the country on Christmas Day (in fact, demand for volunteer roles often outstrips supply at this time of year). Think about throwing open your own doors to provide Christmas lunch and companionship to people who are alone on Christmas Day.

PETROL HEADS ON THE RUN

There’s a long tradition of Australian bikers doing toy runs, collecting presents to be distributed by community groups. The website www.toyrun.org.au lists dozens of separate Toy Runs in all states – so if you have a Harley Davidson hog in the carport then this is the moment to get festive.

DONATE YOUR OLD COMPUTER TO A GOOD CAUSE

Treating yourself or the kids to a new computer this Christmas? There are organisations that will take your old PCs, refurbish them and distribute them to disadvantaged schools, families and community groups.

ADOPT A STRAY

If you’re thinking of giving a pet as a present this Christmas, choose one that is in need of a good h ome . Greyhound Adoption Programs in each state rehabilitate ex-racing greyhounds for rehoming , a nd there are animal shelters – lost dogs’ homes, cat protection societies, etc. – in every state looking for ‘forever homes’ for abandoned pets. And remember – pets are for life, not just for Christmas !