Spread the holiday spirit for Canberra families in need

The Christmas season is well and truly on its way.

It’s easy to get caught up in the food, the planning and the gifts, but it’s also the perfect time of the year to reflect and to give. As the old cliché goes, giving is its own reward, so we have put together some charities and worthwhile causes that need donations or volunteering hours to carry on their vital and noble tasks.

Donating is a selfless way to give back to those in need and to the community more broadly and donating on someone’s behalf will be much appreciated.

Spread the holiday spirit with giving trees for Canberra families in need

Canberra law firm Parker Coles Curtis is partnering with Karinya House and Roundabout Canberra to provide care and support for mothers and families.

Roundabout Canberra believes that every child deserves a safe start and every family deserves dignity. Roundabout provides safe, high-quality, essential baby and children’s items to families in need – and they welcome your donations of must-have baby items like prams, cribs, and car seats. They check their safety and then send them off to mothers and families.

If your child has outgrown a piece of equipment, donate it and change a life.

Karinya House is all about providing support to expectant mothers, with case management and outreach support to provide safety and shelter for new mothers.

To learn more about what your donation will do, watch About Karinya House, produced as part of Karinya’s 25-year celebrations.

Parker Coles Curtis has set up a giving tree in the reception area of their office in the AMP Building, Level 9/1 Hobart Pl, Canberra.

They welcome donations in the form of gifts, gift cards/vouchers for grocery stores or retail stores. Visit Parker Coles Curtis to find out how you can make a difference.

Hartley Lifecare

Hartley Lifecare is a Canberra-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing accommodation to people with disability, their carers and family. Hartley is focused on improving the quality of life of people with disability and providing them with the dignity and security that comes with secure housing.

Hartley offers a variety of ways to support their work:

• Direct donations – Any amount helps Hartley Lifecare to provide people with disability and their families the quality care they deserve.
• Workplace Giving program – Many employers offer this option to employees through their payroll system, where a worker may elect to have a tax-deductible donation automatically donated from their wages. Every little bit counts and a fortnightly donation of just $5 can make a world of difference.
• Kokoda 2025 – If you really want to go the extra mile, join Hartley CEO Eric Thauvette in May 2025 for an adventure hike up the Kokoda trail. It’s a tough bucket list item for many Aussies who want to commemorate and remember the sacrifices of our troops defending Australia. It’s also an excellent opportunity to support Hartley’s important work. You’ll be led by a currently serving or former Australian soldier who can tell you about the experiences of the troops who fought on Kokoda in World War II.

Hands Across Canberra

Hands Across Canberra is an independent community organisation that seeks to make philanthropy more accessible and more streamlined for Canberrans through a tested and effective platform that engages with 250 charities and community organisations. It’s an organisation for Canberrans by Canberrans that seeks to solve local issues and to help others who wish to solve them. The foundation enables charities to access an endowment of funds to protect the vulnerable in our communities.

They encourage businesses, individuals and charities to become partners. The strength of Hands Across Canberra is in uniting disparate groups into a stronger coalition that can fulfil their charitable goals far more easily as a collective. You can set up a fund, donate money, donate time or sponsor an event. There are many options on their website to give back and create a more robust and kinder community.

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities are dedicated to providing support to families with ill or injured children. Their communal facilities provide a home away from home for families who have to travel long distances for treatment. It’s more than just a home for the parents of children undergoing vital medical care, it also provides a sense of community for families struggling to cope with the difficulties of sickness and injury and provides a much needed break from the stress.

Ronald McDonald House provides a family room, a house in Canberra, and a retreat in Batemans Bay. There are a few ways to help them out. You can donate money, volunteer with them, or you can pay just $150 for their ‘Adopt a Night‘ program, which covers the cost of a family staying the night in one of their facilities, allowing them to be closer to their loved one.

Project Independence

Project Independence is a not-for-profit that seeks to provide a path to homeownership for people with an intellectual disability. Their unique model enables residents to acquire equity in a property and live independently while also sharing spaces. PI properties can house up to 10 people in individual units and are supported by a live-in resident coordinator to ensure quality of life. The strength of Project Independence is in allowing people with disabilities their own freedom and choice, while making sure they live in a safe environment.

Residents attest to how empowering this model is.

To support Project Independence:

• Donate
• Fundraise – Are you a talented organiser? Are you good at rallying a crowd for a good cause? This is a great option then, and they have plenty of ideas for fundraiser events on their website.
• Volunteer – See first-hand how effective the Project Independence program is by volunteering your time.

Lifeline Canberra

Morris Legal Group is proudly sponsoring the Lifeline Canberra Giving Tree for the fifth year running. The Giving Tree at Book Lovers Lane Bookshop at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets is inviting members of the public to sponsor a call to 13 11 14, the crisis support line.

“It takes only $26 to fund a life-changing call to 13 11 14. For anyone facing any crisis at any time, we want our community to know that Lifeline is always there. We’re ready to take your call,” said Lifeline Canberra CEO Carrie Leeson.

For just $26, you could make an enormous difference in someone’s life. The holidays can bring mixed emotions for some, and Lifeline is there to provide support to people no matter the situation.

Improve your community and support their important work. For more information, visit Lifeline Canberra.

Epilepsy ACT

Epilepsy ACT raises awareness and educates the public on epilepsy, a neurological condition that affects over 2300 Canberrans. Epilepsy ACT brings awareness to people who otherwise may not know the signs and risks of both seizures and epilepsy.

Donating to Epilepsy ACT helps them carry out their mission by educating the public on some of the unknown sides of epilepsy and providing priceless support to those who have epilepsy or who have loved ones who do.