UnitingCare agencies across the state have taken a leaf out of Good King Wenceslas’ book as they look out “on the feast of Stephen”.

At this time of year, they always see an increase in need, as people struggle to provide their loved ones with the joys of Christmas cheer. Their work commends the last verse of the famous Good King Wenceslas carol:

Therefore, Christians, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.

Christmas at Resthaven

Every year since 1935, Resthaven has celebrated Christmas with residents and clients. A Christmas luncheon is celebrated at each of Resthaven’s ten residential sites. These luncheons are attended by residents and executive staff members, including the CEO and Board President.

Christmas events are also held for people who live at home and receive Resthaven Community Services. These include afternoon teas, meals and outings, offering an opportunity for clients to socialise with each other and enjoy this special time of year.

Ensuring joy

Christmas is……family, celebration, excitement, happiness, joy.

Christmas is……stressful, sad, lonely, hopeless.

Not everyone thinks of Christmas in the same way. For those who don’t have anyone to share it with, the loneliness can be overwhelming. For parents who can’t afford presents for their children or food for the table it can be shaming. For those who provide constant care for a loved one it isn’t a day off.

At UnitingCare Wesley Bowden we make it our mission to ensure everyone can share in the joy of Christmas.

Please donate to our Gift of Christmas appeal and share the joy this holiday season. www.ucwb.org.au

Bright faces and huge smiles

Uniting In Care Salisbury Inc. will prepare 120 Christmas hampers for needy folk in the Salisbury area. Most of these non-perishable food items are very kindly donated by our Church members and various local groups.
Presents for the children are collected from Target through Operation Santa Appeal and the local Triton Owners Club whose members make wooden toys. We are always amazed at the number and quality of these fine toys.

We all enjoy seeing the bright faces and huge smiles of those folk we help in some way over the Christmas season.

Hitting a Christmas bullseye with Target

UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide is assisting with the distribution of toys to needy children this Christmas as part of UnitingCare’s Christmas Appeal, run in partnership with Target stores across Australia.

UCWA’s Coordinator, Tracey, says that toys for boys aged 9-15 is the most challenging of the gift categories.

UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide will collect, package and deliver toys collected as part of Operation Santa which runs until Friday 23 December.

Last year, UnitingCare and Target collected more than 65,000 toys, across Australia. This year’s goal is 100,000 toys.

Better than Christmas

Last year, two staff members from Eldercare, Pat Grantham and John Milne, were seconded to work for a South African indigenous nursing home in Kokstad for four weeks. The experience was enlightening and made them both realise how much better the working conditions and aged care are in Australia.

Before they left, Pat and John offered to buy the residents a special meal. Caroline, the Manager said that the residents would really appreciate Kentucky Fried Chicken. The residents were delighted with their meal with one of the residents saying “This is better than Christmas!”

Gathering, sharing, smiling

At UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide (UCWPA) we recognise that for some people the festive season is a time of great need.

“Our services are at their busiest at Christmas time, rising to meet the increasing needs of people seeking basic day-to-day essentials. With the help and generosity of our local community, we can brighten this Christmas for hundreds of people in need,” said Libby Craft, CEO.

UCWPA provides a special Christmas Day lunch for more than 80 clients who otherwise would have spent Christmas alone. The fond aromas of a traditional festive meal, Christmas jingles, bon-bons and the exchange of gifts (kindly donated by staff at UCWPA) puts smiles on every face. Last year, one lady cried saying, “…my tears are those of thanks and happiness.”