Mayoral Christmas Appeal 2023 is now open

27 November 2023

Hawkesbury City Council’s Mayoral Christmas Appeal is now open!

This year’s Mayoral Christmas Appeal will be held in partnership with San Miguel – a Hawkesbury program run by the charity yourtown – which is a family residential service providing support to vulnerable young parents and their children.

“It’s exciting that Christmas is coming, but for many, Christmas is also a very difficult time,” Hawkesbury City Mayor Sarah McMahon said.

“This is a season where we should do all we can to bring joy to others. Sadly, one in six children still live in poverty in Australia, meaning that here in the Hawkesbury, we have many people who need our help.

“I therefore urge everyone who can to please buy even one extra gift and place it in the Mayoral Christmas Appeal box. You could help make a Christmas dream come true.

“San Miguel welcomes gifts for all ages but has especially asked for gifts for parents. Often, parents from underprivileged homes are overlooked at this time of year.”

yourtown Acting National Manager for Child and Family Alison Schneidereit welcomed the organisation’s involvement in the 2023 Mayoral Appeal.

“The children and young people that come through our doors often do not know where their next meal is coming from or whether they have a safe place to stay for the night, so Christmas is often a very difficult time of the year for them,” Ms Schneidereit said.

“We currently have children on site ranging from newborn through to 12 years old, and parents from the ages of 16 years through to 26 years. Many of these children and young people have never experienced Christmas as we might know it, so they are very grateful for anything that we are donated.”

Gifts must be unwrapped and can be dropped off up from now until Friday 15 December 2023 at Council’s Administration Building, 366 George Street, Windsor; at Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George Street, Windsor; and Richmond Branch Library at 29 West Market Street.

Shoppers can also drop off unwrapped gifts at Richmond Marketplace outside Lowes. On Saturday, 2 December there will also be a donation box at the San Miguel stand at Light Up Windsor.

Gift ideas may include board games, card games, outdoor games, sport equipment, tool kits or gift vouchers from local shops that offer items such as books, clothes, ice cream, stationery, or sporting goods.