Media release
For immediate release
11 December 2009

Auckland’s online Christmas Wish Tree launched for Christmas 2009

It’s easier than sending Christmas cards, it’s environmentally friendly, and it is raising funds for a great Auckland charity.

Auckland’s online Christmas Wish Tree is up and running for 2009. The tree, set against the Auckland skyline, allows people to send free Christmas wishes – or make a donation to the Auckland City Mission and decorate an ornament to put on the tree.

“We think there will be plenty of people who haven’t got around to getting Christmas cards organised who will appreciate being able to send online greetings instead,” says Barbara Anderson, managing director of Auckland web company BKA Interactive. “This makes it easy for them to send Christmas greetings, and make a donation to a great cause. Alternatively, people can just go on and make a free wish. That gives everyone a chance to participate and help spread the word, whether they are able to make a donation or not.”

“The more decorations and wishes that are added, the more the tree will grow. As each wish is added and shared, more people will know about the tree, and the more people are likely to donate to the Mission.”

The website updates automatically each time a donation is bought or a free wish sent, and decorations and wishes will appear randomly on the site until Christmas.

“People will be able to go on, check out what their friends and family and colleagues have written, and send and receive decorations and wishes,” Ms Anderson says. “It should be a lot of fun and we hope that as well as generating lots of funds and goodwill for the Auckland City Mission, it will generate lots of fun and interest for Aucklanders in the lead in to Christmas as well.”

Ms Anderson said the Auckland City Mission was chosen by BKA as the recipient for donations made to the tree due to the service they provide to people in need throughout the Auckland region during the year.

“In a recession, we know that the Mission is there for the most vulnerable people in our community. Christmas is a time in which there is even greater demand for their services, and if we help engage more people in donating to the Mission, that will be a great reward for everyone involved.”

One hundred percent of the funds raised go to the Mission, with payment for decorations made directly through the Mission’s own website.

“We hope lots of people will visit the tree over the next couple of weeks, and see the sun rise and set over the city, and then the moon come out over the Sky Tower.”

Donations and free wishes can be made online at www.christmaswishtree.com.

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