News & Information

Buy a Christmas Gift that keeps giving

14 December 2004

A growing number of Australians are using their festive spending to create a greater impact in the community as well as spreading Christmas cheer among family and friends.

While billions of dollars will be spent on Christmas goodies from Barbies and X-boxes to perfume and books over coming weeks, there is greater interest from consumers on ensuring their spending also provides a social dividend.

Dr Rhonda Galbally, CEO of www.ourcommunity.com.au, an online resource for Australia’s 700,000 community and non-profit groups, said Christmas was a time of celebration but it was increasingly also a time when people reflected on how they could “give something back” to their community.

“People want to celebrate and have a good time at Christmas. If they can do that in a way that also provides warm inner glow and a financial bonus to community groups, then more people are choosing to do so,” Dr Galbally said.

Instead of buying a “normal” gift, many people are opting to donate to a group, buy a membership or sponsor a child or animal on the recipient’s behalf. Others are organising collections at their workplace or family Christmas party to donate to community groups.

A list of 125 Christmas tips has been developed by www.ourcommunity.com.au to inspire individuals, families and businesses wanting to show their support for community groups.

The free list can be downloaded from www.ourcommunity.com.au/christmastips.

“They say it’s the thought that counts but when people are supporting non-profit groups, the thought counts long after the Christmas pudding has all gone,” Dr Galbally said.

Dr Galbally said there was strong growth in donations made on behalf of friends, families and – increasingly – workplaces to groups listed on the Australian Giving Centre’s free online donation service at www.ourcommunity.com.au.

The Australian Giving Centre, supported by Westpac Bank, is Australia’s only free online donation service and has raised over $700,000 for community groups. It currently features over 470 appeals from community groups across Australia.

The Centre also features information on donating blood, time, computers, clothes, furniture and mobile phones and signing up for organ donations.

Source: www.ourcommunity.com.au