17 Generous Ways to Volunteer this Christmas
Let’s give a helping hand to those who need it the most this festive season
Are you looking for meaningful and family-friendly ways to give back and volunteer this Christmas? As the holiday season approaches, and we get caught up in the whirlwind of parties and gift giving, let’s take a moment to remember the joy of spreading love and kindness to those in need. In the Inner West, we’re proud of our community spirit and for having one of the most diverse and inclusive neighbourhoods – where looking out for each other is the norm. So whether you’re thinking of involving the whole family or teaching your kids the value of generosity, we’ve compiled a list of 17 ways to volunteer this Christmas. From helping the homeless to brightening up the lives of sick children, these volunteering activities will bring the holiday spirit into your hearts whilst creating lasting memories for your family. Get ready to spread cheer and make a positive impact this festive season!
🖐️ Orange Sky
All it takes is a few hours of your time each fortnight to help make a difference. Orange Sky Australia has three vans located in Sydney, which service the needs of the community through free laundry, showers and conversation. As an Orange Sky Volunteer, you’ll support people experiencing homelessness and hardship by washing their belongings, providing access to a warm shower, connecting through genuine, non-judgemental conversations, and more.
More info: https://orangesky.org.au/volunteer/
Contact: hello@orangesky.org
🖐️ Meals on Wheels Australia
Meals on Wheels delivers healthy, nutritious meals to old and young people with disabilities, and to their carers. Volunteers offer up their services all-year-round – whether it’s helping to prepare and cook the food in the kitchens or delivering meals in their cars. Whichever you’d prefer to help with, Meals on Wheels will be grateful with a few extra pairs of hands over Christmas.
More info: https://mealsonwheels.org.au/contact-us/
Contact: enquiries@mealsonwheels.org.au
🖐️ The Sydney Basket Brigade
Run by the Magic Moments Foundation, The Sydney Basket Brigade is a dedicated group of volunteers that pack and deliver baskets of food and other goods to families in need. Every year, the organisation relies on volunteers to help round up the donated goods and get them to the people that need them.
More info: https://www.magicmoments.org.au/volunteer/
Contact: sydneybasketbrigade@magicmoments.org.au
🖐️ The Smith Family
Light up Education this Christmas for Australian children in need to help overcome educational inequality caused by poverty. How can you help? Create your online Giving Tree – ask your friends, family and colleagues to donate a gift and help to create a world where every child has the opportunity to change their future. After all, it’s only Christmas when we share it!
More info:
Contact: tsfmktg@thesmithfamily.com.au
🖐️ Wayside Chapel
The Wayside Chapel in Potts Point has been providing love, care and support for people doing it tough in central Sydney for over 50 years. Every year, the organisation throws a free Christmas lunch for anyone experiencing homelessness or social isolation at its Potts Point and Bondi Beach locations. You can ‘donate a plate’ here and purchase a meal for one, two, four, 10 or 20 people. Everybody deserves a warm meal and a place to be at Christmas.
More info: https://donate.waysidechapel.org.au/#DonationForm
Contact: mail@thewaysidechapel.com
🖐️ Annual OzHarvest Christmas Appeal
If you want to give back but are strapped for time, why not donate some dollars instead? OzHarvest is a great anti-food waste charity that rescues surplus food – that would otherwise be sent to the landfill – and delivers to over 1300 charities supporting people in need all over the country. This year, OzHarvest has teamed up with Woolworths and set the ambitious goal of providing seven million meals to Australians in need this Christmas. Contributions can be as small as 50c or rounding up your grocery bill at the self-checkout – every little bit counts.
More info: https://www.ozharvest.org/volunteer/
Contact: info@ozharvest.org
🖐️ The Salvation Army
Spreading the love all over Australia, The Salvation Army helps around 70,000 Aussie households each year, making sure a sprinkle of Christmas spirit is delivered to those who need it most. Sign up to wrap presents, pack hampers or deliver toys, or you can simply donate unwanted clothes or non-perishable foods if you don’t have time to volunteer.
Contact: communications@salvationarmy.org.au
🖐️ Lifeline Gift Wrapping Sessions – Westfield Parramatta
Be part of a fun team, wrap presents and help spread Christmas cheer whilst raising funds to support Lifeline’s critical services.
This is a great activity for individuals, groups of friends and corporates to get involved with this Christmas.Volunteer your gift-wrapping skills and help raise funds for Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney. By donating your lunch hour or part of your afternoon to gift-wrap, you help us to provide critical services to our community and continue to work towards an Australia free of suicide. Your support can help save lives.
We have a range of times available from Monday 18 December through to Saturday 23 December and welcome individuals and teams of up to six people.
Contact: admin@lifelinemws.org.au
🖐️ HeartKids Christmas Gift Wrapping Volunteers – Broadway Shopping Centre
HeartKids Limited has been selected as the charity for Broadway Shopping Centre Gift Wrapping station and we need you! Simply apply to register your interest and learn more. There will be a variety of shifts, morning, day and into the evening. There will be something for everyone.
No experience is required but someone with attention to detail will excel in this role. Come and join a really fun team of gift wrappers and give back this Christmas season. If you love the challenge of wrapping an odd shaped gift – THIS ROLE IF FOR YOU!!
More info: https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/202983/HeartKids-Christmas-Gift-Wrapping-Volunteers-Broadway-Shopping-Centre?fbclid=IwAR1LVLs1f3s5KrKaWyLyCkEIOqdi12TTfwW2agVv4bj-XbEUf6Cxc-QzlL8
Contact: office@heartkids.org.au
🖐️ Kids with Cancer Foundation
Charity gift wrapping is BACK for 2023 and we need YOU to help us Make Today Easier for kids with cancer this Christmas! Whether you’re looking for something to do with a friend over coffee, seeking fulfilment in giving back to the community, or need a team-building activity through work, charity gift wrapping is a fantastic way to make it happen!
Join us this December at Winston Hills Mall to wrap gifts of all shapes and sizes! Kids with Cancer Foundation financially supports children from birth to 12 years of age, along with their families and Oncology networks who help them, giving over $32 million in funding in our 25 years. We give 100% of all direct donations into our Gift Fund straight back to the Cause, with no administrative or management fees ever coming from these types of donations. We are proud to offer financial support Australia-wide and with YOUR help, we can continue to Make Today Easier for kids with cancer in 2024!
WHERE: Winston Hills Mall
WHEN: From Monday 11thDecember until Sunday 24th December
SESSIONS: Morning sessions from 10am to 1pm (we require 2 or 3 people per session) or Afternoon sessions from 1pm to 4pm (we require 2 or 3 people per session)
More info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteersydney/posts/1292859541417915/
Contact: Vanessa 1800 255 522 / vanessa@kidswithcancer.org.au
🖐️ 2023 Variety Xmas Party Sydney – Volunteer Registration
Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT is calling out to you, our wonderful community of volunteers, to help us spread joy and create magical memories for Sydney kids this festive season. We invite you to be a part of our Variety Kids Xmas Party at the ICC Sydney on November 21st, 2023, and help us make it a day to remember!
This event is an invite only event for schools who cater for additional needs.
As a volunteer, you’ll have the chance to:
– Spread holiday cheer and create lasting memories for kids and their families.
– Work alongside our passionate team at Variety and help make a difference.
– Be a part of an inclusive and heart-warming event that celebrates the spirit of giving.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Event Bump-In and Décor:
Date: Monday 20th November 2023
Time: 8.45am – 3.00pm
Volunteer Opportunity: Heavy lifters & creative stylists, this is for you! Help us unload our decorations and help transform the ICC into a Christmas wonderland.
Be a part of the behind-the-scenes magic as we prepare for the big day – we need all hands-on decks to help unbox and gift wrap gifts for kids.
Activities:
Date: Tuesday 21st November 2023
Time: 8.45am – 3.30pm
Volunteer Opportunity: Help us facilitate fun and games on the day! With activities like sports, amusement rides, arts and crafts, music, face painting and a petting zoo, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.
More info: https://events.humanitix.com/2023-variety-xmas-party-sydney-volunteer-registration?fbclid=IwAR36rCNdzg3F4lpi7MAyr0r_ndyUAbAtrz1_dKBWAfJAXr6SlJhbjtdsn60
Contact: contactus@varietynsw.org.au
🖐️ Host a Christmas food/gift drive – Rev Bill Crews Foundation
Christmas can be a challenging and isolating time for those who are struggling. By collecting and donating food and/or gifts, you can directly contribute to helping these individuals and families doing it tough this festive season. The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation provides direct assistance to address the cause and effect of homelessness, poverty and disadvantage. We succeed in achieving this through caring services including food provision, social welfare and education support.
Contact: info@billcrews.org
🖐️ Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation
Each year, thousands of children need life-changing and life-saving care from Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network – even at Christmas. Being sick can mean that they’re away from their families, away from their friends, and the season that should be the most hopeful time of year may not look so bright. By donating today, you can help sick kids get the world-class healthcare they need, and the brightest Christmas possible!
More info: https://www.schf.org.au/xmas23-sem-1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=xmas23&utm_content=sem-1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=paid_20704538092_155934688978&utm_content=678167221435&utm_term=sick%20kids%20donation&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItaan_bq5ggMVUCyDAx2vGgeiEAAYASAAEgJgMPD_BwE
Contact: info@schf.org.au
🖐️ Coogee Carols – Volunteers Needed
Sydney Childrens Hospital’s Foundation are the official Charity Partner of the City of Sydney this Christmas. We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with our Christmas Carols at Coogee Beach. Multiple shifts available 5th December to help with: selling raffle tickets, donation collection, brand awareness and more. Volunteer this Christmas and help spread the spirit of the season.
More info: https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/201805/coogee-carols-volunteers-needed
Contact: info@schf.org.au
🖐️ Gift A Wish this Christmas
This festive season, Make-A-Wish is supporting over 900 critically ill children who need the life-changing joy of a wish – that’s more than ever before.
Each wish is as unique as the child who imagined it. What it takes to grant one wish is often completely different to the next. This Christmas, you can help make wishes a reality by gifting a wish. Help give sick kids a truly extraordinary experience – inspiring hope and creating joy that lasts a lifetime.
More info: https://maw.org.au/473NaXJ
Contact: enquiries@makeawish.org.au
🖐️ Christmas Day Volunteer Patrol – Newport Surf Club
As we are in December, Newport Surf Club would like to remind everyone that our Christmas Day patrol is completely voluntary. We are looking for volunteers to come down throughout the day and patrol our beach. Any time that could be spared would be appreciated. Volunteer this Christmas and help keep our beaches and families safe.
More info: https://newportsurfclub.com.au/christmas-day-volunteer-patrol/
Contact: club_captain@newportsurfclub.com.au
🖐️ Give a charity Christmas gift
Looking for a meaningful Christmas gift that embodies the spirit of the season? Consider a Christmas charity gift from UNICEF Australia’s Inspired Gifts! Our Inspired Gifts are real, life-saving essentials for child survival and development. Our thoughtfully curated Christmas gifts help provide vital supplies to the world’s most vulnerable children, amplifying the impact of your gift. By choosing an Inspired Gift, you directly support UNICEF’s work in over 190 countries, impacting lives not only during the holiday season but throughout the year.
With every Inspired Gift, you can also choose to receive a beautiful Christmas gift card, ready to be presented to your loved one. It’s a heartfelt gesture that conveys the profound and lasting effect their gift will have on children’s lives during this season of giving, and beyond!
More info: https://www.unicef.org.au/give-a-gift-christmas?utm_source=igcatalogue&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=Christmas2023&utm_content=sv
Contact: support@unicef.org.au
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If you volunteer at a local club, association or charity group and want to spread the word drop us a note at info@theinnerwestmums.com.au
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