2009 Christmas Appeal Launched

Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Tom Gilmore is urging residents to dig deep for the less fortunate in the community during the 2009 Mayor's Christmas Appeal.

Launching the appeal at a special charity champagne breakfast at Mt Uncle Distillery on Friday, 9 October, Cr Gilmore said it had been a tough year for many in the community.

"We all know that it has been a difficult year financially for some people due to the economic downturn, but Christmas is a time when everyone should be able to celebrate and the appeal is aimed at providing that little bit of help when it's needed the most," Cr Gilmore said.

"Assistance provided through the appeal is a gesture of goodwill and that help adds a little cheer to what may normally be a difficult time of the year for some people in our community."

At the breakfast, Cr Gilmore asked businesses and schools to prominently display posters at their workplace or school to provide details about how people can donate to the appeal.

"I have asked business owners and school principals to be ambassadors for this appeal by promoting it at their places of business and at their schools so we can hopefully raise enough money to provide these much-needed hampers," he said.

Cr Gilmore said the appeal had the support of various charity groups and welfare agencies on the Tablelands including the Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul, Community Services Tablelands (formerly Atherton Neighbourhood Centre), Eacham Community Help Organisation, Ravenshoe Community Care, Red Cross Atherton, Blue Care, Tablelands Women's Centre, Kuranda Neighbourhood Centre, Mareeba Information and Support Centre and Anglican Church Kuranda.

"This support is indicative of the type of community that we live in where we band together to help those less fortunate than ourselves," Cr Gilmore said.

"I applaud these groups not only for supporting our appeal but also for the valuable work they carry out every day in the community."

Monies raised will be used to put together hampers which will be distributed from before Christmas. No food items can be accepted for the appeal. Last year, 118 hampers were distributed throughout the community as a result of the appeal.

Appeal Facts

Donations

• Monetary donations to the appeal will be accepted at the Council's service centres in Atherton, Mareeba, Herberton and Malanda and at the Kuranda Library.
• People can also send their donation by cheque to Mayor's Christmas Appeal, PO Box 154, Mareeba 4880. Make the cheque payable to Mayor's Christmas Appeal.
• Fundraisers for the appeal include Carols in the Park at Mareeba on 13 December.

Applying for assistance

To be eligible to receive assistance, residents need to be receiving a government welfare benefit or have children up to the age of 15 years. Those residents that are outside the welfare system should see their local agency for assessment.

Assessment forms are available at the local agencies listed above. Residents should complete the forms and have them returned for assessment by the relevant agency by 27 November 2009.

Forms are also available at Council offices. These forms will be sent to the Salvation Army to facilitate assessment.

Please note, complete only one form to apply for assistance.