By Mikayla van Loon
In the spirit of giving and thanks the Rotary Club of Lilydale expressed its sincere gratitude to those across the Yarra Ranges who hosted and supported the 2024 Wishing Tree project with a dinner earlier this week.
Bringing together representatives from all 35 businesses, community groups and individuals on Tuesday 25 February, the night celebrated yet another successful year of gift giving.
The donations, which primarily supported Anchor Community Care and the Yarra Ranges Proactive Policing Unit, also exceeded expectations enabling Rotary to provide gifts to Anglicare, Oonah, Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service and Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service.
“This is the fourth year we’ve run the appeal. We can’t even imagine making any difference at Christmas time without having the backing of people like yourselves. In many ways, this is also your project. Together, we can make a difference,” Wishing Tree coordinator Gerry Van Horick said.
“There was an increased uncertainty compared to the previous year about what the outcome would be due to ever increasing cost of living pressures that affect many people in the community.
“However, we were completely blown away with the level of support and the level of giving that seemed to increase in line with the increasing level of need in the community. People were very generous in their gifts and gift cards donated exceeded last year’s totals.”
Mr Van Horick said it was not only the desire of the businesses to host a collection point but their effort to promote and advertise the appeal to their individual communities that saw last year’s donation drive do so well.
“You all made a contribution and put in, whatever your efforts and contribution it is very much appreciated. It has made a difference. Every gift is a gift. It made a difference to someone at Christmas time,” he said.
Anchor Community Care chief executive officer Heidi Tucker said she was once again “astonished” by the “compassion and generosity” of the community but also the growth in the project year on year.
“Your commitment to bringing joy to children and families who are struggling at Christmas is absolutely heart warming and inspiring. We can’t underestimate the life changing impact that receiving presents from caring and compassionate strangers can mean for children, young people and families across Australia,” she said.
“The reality is there are too many young people who spend Christmas in tents, boarding houses, motels and in the child protection system. Christmas is especially hard for young people in these situations, they’re painfully aware of how different their lives are compared to their friends and peers.
“The gifts you collect are so much more than just a present for these young people, they make children feel seen, special and valid, something their circumstances rarely allow for.”
Ms Tucker spoke of one story, a 12-year-old boy, who with his mother and sisters escaped family violence and were homeless. He received a bike from the Wishing Tree appeal.
“His mother was overjoyed by the donation, as her son had been asking for a bike, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to afford one. Thanks to the generosity of this community, you have helped us to turn a difficult year for them into one that ends with hope,” she said.
For them, that was just the beginning of their hope, securing a private rental this year through Anchor’s support and with a bike, Ms Tucker said, this young boy will have the freedom to see friends and “feel normal”.
Attending the dinner on behalf of Leading Senior Constable Luke Egginton, Proactive Policing Unit Senior Constable Kate Isherwood spoke of the positive impact and connection the gifts have allowed.
“Often we visit people who have come into police contact. They’re either victims of a crime or they’ve been caught up in a crime, and usually there’s another underlying reason for how they found themselves in that situation and come into police contact,” she said.
“The Wishing Tree Project has actually given us a gift as the proactive unit, more than you’d know. When we come into contact with people, it’s not a good day for those people. It’s not a good day for us.
“However, we’ve been able to break down some barriers, we’ve been able to use the Wishing Tree Project to meet the people who are normally a little bit reluctant to see us. I cannot explain how good that has been for breaking down barriers and encouraging our community that we all live in to come to us when they need support.”
SC Isherwood said the stories heard through the project were extremely touching and showed just how valuable a gift can be in bringing joy and hope.
“While handing out the gifts to some of the parents, they shared some of their stories, of their life challenges, the ones they currently face and have faced, and it was clear as to why I was met with tears of joy and appreciation,” she said.
Many of those involved in the 2024 Wishing Tree have already put their hand up for the 2025 appeal.
