St. Vincent de Paul Society Supports The ABC Giving Tree Appeal

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is again proud to be included as one of the beneficiaries of Tasmania’s largest Christmas charity, the ABC Giving Tree Appeal.

The 2020 ABC Giving Tree Appeal will officially launch on ABC Radio Hobart’s state-wide Mornings with Leon Compton program tomorrow, Tuesday November 3, 2020, and will run until Tuesday December 15, 2020 with a focus on online giving. 

St. Vincent de Paul Society CEO, Lara Alexander, said that the ABC Giving Tree Appeal is a wonderful tradition that has been running for 30 years.

“After three decades, the ABC Giving Tree Appeal has become an important tradition in Tasmania – one that has helped thousands of Tasmanian families to enjoy a special Christmas,” Mrs Alexander said.

“Due to the COVID-19 restrictions impacting all of our lives, the ABC and participating charities are encouraging everyone to make a donation online. The money raised will be used by the participating charities to buy festive fare for families and gifts for children who would otherwise have a very dispiriting Christmas.

“As a charity that has seen a steep increase in the number of families in need this year, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is so grateful to the ABC for reaching out to its listeners and the community to assist Tasmanians in need. Community support has never been more welcome or needed than it is this year.

“On behalf of the ABC Giving Tree Appeal, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is asking all Tasmanians to visit the ABC Giving Tree Appeal website to make a cash donation of their choice. Big or small, every donation will help to bring a joy to a family somewhere in Tasmania,” Mrs Alexander added.

ABC Hobart Local Manager, Samantha Stayner, said that the ABC Giving Tree Appeal will continue to help those in need and emphasised that it is even more important to support the community this holiday season.

“We know how much this appeal and its traditions mean to Tasmania and we wanted to make sure this could continue, following what has been a difficult year,” Ms Stayner said.

“While many have left gifts in the past, an online donation will be just as meaningful for a person or family struggling to make ends meet; and help them to put gifts under their tree and food on the table.

“It’s wonderful to have the full support of our charity partners and to know that the impact of the ABC Giving Tree Appeal will remain as significant as ever,” Ms Stayner added.

All funds raised by the ABC Giving Tree Appeal will be distributed to the ABC’s charity partners: the Launceston Benevolent Society, Launceston City Mission, St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Salvation Army, Uniting Tasmania, Hobart City Mission, Mission Australia, Anglicare, and Colony47.

Charities will use the funds raised to purchase toys, gifts and food hampers for Tasmanian individuals and families requiring financial support over the holiday season. Cash donations will also allow charities to tailor what they purchase for each of their clients, including providing gift cards for parents to pick out something special for their children. 

For more details and information on the ABC Giving Tree Appeal visit abc.net.au/givingtree