Upper Murray Family Care and Centre Against Violence are working together to provide gifts to vulnerable children, young people and families through the Give A Gift Appeal. You can join in by:  

• Spreading the word about the Give a Gift Appeal. You can share  social posts, include details in newsletters, or display posters at your workplace  
• Donating physical items, such as new toys, sporting equipment, school supplies, or gift cards, at UMFC Wangaratta (36 Mackay Street) or UMFC Wodonga (27-29 Stanley Street), Hume Bank branches and OAK FM offices in Wangaratta by 9 December 2024. 

• Making monetary donations via the Give a Gift Appeal page. These funds will go toward purchasing gift vouchers, experiences, Christmas items (trees, decorations), school supplies, and other identified needs. 

Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare provide food relief and festive hampers to those who are struggling to make ends meet. You can participate in their Christmas Hunger Relief Appeal by: 

• Nominating someone to receive a FoodShare hamper. Nominate someone facing hardship to receive a FoodShare Hamper to help bring relief and much-needed food to reduce some of their financial stress and allow them to focus on the joy of the season. 

• Donating food. Make a difference by dropping non-perishable food items in the collection bins at Lavington Square Shopping Centre, White Box Rise Shopping Centre, West End Plaza Shopping Centre, FoodShare Community Pantry in Wodonga and the office of Helen Haines MP in Wangaratta by 4pm 18 December 2024.  

Tallangatta Guides and Neighbourhood House host a Christmas Giving Tree at Tallangatta Bakery. Place a wrapped gift under the tree by 10 December. Register yourself or nominate someone else for a gift, or make a donation, by contacting the Neighbourhood House tallangatta.nh@towong.vic.gov.au or 0408 573 474. 

Chiltern Neighbourhood House welcomes donations for their Christmas Food Drive. Pantry items, Christmas treats, pet food, toiletries, unwrapped gifts and wrapping paper can be placed in the collection basket at Chiltern IGA prior to 19 December. 

Ray White Benalla, Tomorrow Today, Benalla Salvation Army and Benalla Council are partnering for the ‘Christmas Cheer Initiative’. Donate toys and games for children at Ray White Benalla, or food, gifts or money at Benalla Salvo’s. 

Ray White Euroa are partnering with the Rotary Club of Euroa to support children who need it most through ‘A Little Ray of Giving.’ Leave a gift for children and families under the tree at Ray White Euroa by mid-December. 

Loaves and Fishes – Christians Caring helps local families in Wangaratta. You can donate staple groceries and special Christmas treats at Anglicare Victoria, 39 Ovens Street Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 12:30pm. 

Mansfield Christian Fellowship organises Christmas hampers for those who might otherwise go without. Donations can be made at MCF on Sovereign Court on Wednesdays 10am-12:30pm up until Christmas. 

As Christmas nears and with many home budgets stretched, I encourage those who can, to please support our small businesses by shopping locally this festive season. 

Community events are a great opportunity to connect at a time that can be joyous but also challenging for some. Reach out to someone and head to one of these events, which are provided for free by councils and community support: 

Benalla Community Christmas Party

When: 1 December 2024, from 5pm until 9pm

Where: Splash Park and Ceramic Mural Precinct, Benalla 

Mansfield Community Christmas Picnic

When: 6 December 2024, from 5:30pm until 8:30pm 

Where: Botanic Park, Mansfield 

Wangaratta Lighting of the Christmas Tree & Market 

When: 6 December 2024, from 6pm until 9pm 

Where: Ovens Riverside Square, Wangaratta 

Alexandra Community Christmas Tree Festival 

When: Daily from 11 until 31 December

Where: Alexandra Town Hall

Wangaratta Carols by Candlelight 

When: 14 December 2024, from 6:30pm until 9pm

Where: Apex Park, Wangaratta

Wodonga Carols by Candlelight 

When: 15 December 2024. from 6pm until 9:30pm 

Where: Willow Park, Wodonga 

Euroa Carols by Candlelight 

When: 20 December, from 6pm until 9pm 

Where: Seven Creeks Park, Euroa  

Upper Murray Christmas Carols 

When: 20 December, from 5pm until 8pm 

Where: Attree Park, Corryong  

Bright Carols in the Park 

When: 22 December, from 6pm until 9pm 

Where: Howitt Park, Bright 

Beechworth Community Christmas Lunch 

When: 25 December, from 12:15pm until 2:30pm 

Where: Beechworth Memorial Hall 

Wangaratta Community Christmas Day Lunch 

When: 25 December, from 11am until 2:30pm 

Where: Wangaratta Uniting Church 

Myrtleford Christmas Day Lunch

When: 25 December, from 12:30pm 

Where: St Paul’s Anglican Church 

Please contact church members Ray and Lorraine McCarthy on 0429 334 447 before Saturday December 16.