Over 35,000 gifts required to meet target

Less than one week left and over 35,000 gifts required to meet target

With only days left until Christmas, the countdown is on to collect 50,000 gifts for the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal to help support the 17,000 families and individuals in New Zealand who will otherwise go without.

The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is New Zealand’s largest and longest running Christmas gift Appeal, and through the generosity of New Zealanders has collected and distributed over 420,000 gifts in the last 22 years.

As of this week the gift tally is sitting at 11,856, leaving a shortfall of 38,144 presents that are required before its 19 stores close their doors on Christmas Eve.

Kmart NZ manager, Sue Smith, is confident the Kiwi spirit of giving will increase coming into the critical last days of the Appeal.

“Sadly many families will go without again this Christmas and we hope those that can make a difference by adding a gift under the Kmart Wishing Tree do just that.

“Kiwis are known for their generous spirit, and it’s wonderful to wake up on Christmas knowing your gesture has helped create a sense of celebration in the community,” says Sue.

Salvation Army head of social services Major Pam Waugh explains that Christmas can be a challenging time for Kiwi families who feel the strain of not being able to afford gifts for their loved ones, with rising living costs and the extra stresses of Christmas making a major financial impact on their family.

“Around 12.2% of our clients are working families. The high cost of living in New Zealand means that even the families with a waged income have to sacrifice a lot of the little luxuries in life including birthday and Christmas gifts.

“The Appeal helps take the pressure off budgets, provides all-important social inclusion and is really appreciated by the families we work with,” says Major Pam Waugh.

The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal will run right up until Christmas Eve, 24 December. There are many ways Kiwis can take part: by placing a gift under a Kmart Wishing Tree in any store nationally*; making a monetary contribution at any Kmart register or by donating online atwww.kmart.co.nz/wishingtree

*gifts do not need to be purchased at Kmart, nor do they need to be wrapped.

ends

• Only one week remains to support the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal

• To date contributions are just 24% towards the 50,000 gifts needed

• Kmart and The Salvation Army stress that the cost of living has meant that over 17,000 families will reach out for The Salvation Army’s help at Christmas time

• With approx. 20% of NZ children classed as living in poverty, one small gift this Christmas will make a big impact to a family in need

• #thatgivingfeeling

© Scoop Media