Each year the Salvos conduct research to give a snapshot of how the Australian public are experiencing Christmas, and this year’s results were alarming It revealed a huge increase in the number of people reporting they don’t have enough money to buy presents for their children.
And when you convert this survey sample into the Australian population it equates to 1.6 million people telling us they won’t be able to provide a gift for their children.
Each year the Salvos conduct research to give a snapshot of how the Australian public are experiencing Christmas, and this year’s results were alarming It revealed a huge increase in the number of people reporting they don’t have enough money to buy presents for their children. And when you convert the people visiting our Salvation Army centres for assistance continue to tell us of a constant struggle to meet household expenses. Most are just managing to cover their weekly living costs, but when it comes to the additional expenses that Christmas brings, there is no extra money to buy the presents, ham, or special treats that we associate with Christmas. The mortgage or rent still has to be paid, the power kept on, the children clothed and fed each week. It is a beautiful thing to be the distributor of people’s generosity and care.
I wish it was possible to show every Australian the smiles, tears and joy they create from the toy they leave under the wishing tree or the donation they give to provide a hamper of food. At the Community Centre I manage in Auburn in Western Sydney I daily witness Christmas miracles, as someone’s generosity is matched to someone’s need. Due to the generosity of Australians, we have created a toy room as good as any Kmart or Big W store, and everyday parents are coming to choose gifts so their Last week a young mother came.
Sixty per cent of her income was going to house her young family. Her tight budget had no provision for Christmas. It was the first time she had come to the Salvos for help.he entered our toy room very hesitantly. On the shelf, she saw a Star Wars Lego construction kit. She squealed with delight as she pointed to it. That’s exactly what my son wanted for Christmas,” she exclaimed. “He wrote a letter to Santa and asked for it but I could never afford it. Can I really take it?”I think about young Thomas, who will wake up on Christmas morning and find his wishes met because of the generosity of someone he will never know.