The University of New England’s (UNE) Giving Tree returns this December, expanding its reach to support local charities in Armidale and Tamworth.
Staff, students and community members are invited to donate gifts for children in need. This year, the Armidale campus is partnering with New England Family Support Services, while UNE teams in Sydney and Tamworth will support The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sora Community Services, respectively.
“The generosity of UNE staff was on show last year, and we are bringing back the Giving Tree from December,” said UNE Chief Operating Officer Meredith Parry.
“We have chosen local charities with strong links to UNE through our students and alumni. New England Family Support Services provides a whole range of critical services to families in our region, and it’s my pleasure to support their work this Christmas.”
New England Family Support Services (NEFSS) works with families across the New England region, including Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, and Guyra, offering casework, supported playgroups, Neighbourhood Centres, and community programs such as HIPPY, Settlement Engagement and Transition Support, Redress Support Service, Children’s Contact Service, and Rural Recovery outreach.
NEFSS Program Manager and UNE student Kye Single acknowledged the importance of community support, particularly over the holiday season.
“NEFSS supported over 11,000 people through the region over the last year, engaging with us across all of our programs. We are committed to helping our community through the ups and downs of life and appreciate the support that you have shown us.”
How to contribute
Armidale
UNE’s Armidale campus is collecting for NEFSS. Donations of unwrapped toys are requested. While most recipient families have children under eight, gifts for children and teens up to 18 are welcome.
Drop-off locations: Booloominbah (ground floor) and Café Life
Final day for donations: Monday 15 December
Tamworth
UNE staff in Tamworth are supporting Sora Community Services, which delivers family and domestic violence support, homelessness and advocacy services, early intervention programs, and family support across the New England North West.
Wrapped gifts are requested, labelled with the appropriate age and gender, for children and teens up to 18 years old.
More information: sora.org.au
Final day for donations: Wednesday 17 December.
Gift Ideas
Ages 3–5
- Play-Doh
- Duplo and Megablocks
- Thomas the Tank Engine
- Bluey
- Sesame Street toys
- Stickers
- Imaginative play sets (e.g. tea sets, tool kits)
- Books for young readers
- Musical instruments
- Pillow Pets
Ages 6–11
- LEGO
- Hot Wheels cars and trucks
- Board games
- Arts and crafts supplies
- Science kits
- Hair accessories and nail polish
- Jigsaw puzzles
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