This holiday season, practice the true gift of giving. Donating goods or volunteering your time is a great way for your family to give to those in need in our local community and spread holiday cheer in 2025.
No matter how old your kids are, there are lots of different ways to give and contribute to your local community. You can create a bag for Share the Dignity or Soul Hub, donate an unwrapped toy or donate online. Get them involved in choosing items to donate to someone in need. Show them how a small act of giving goes a long way and help those less fortunate around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter.
Create a bag for Share the Dignity
Donate a bag as part of the Share The Dignity’s It’s In The Bag campaign. Fill up a bag (new or barely used) with a list of essentials that they list on their website. Plus, you can add in extras to make someone feel special such as makeup, accessories, moisturiser, hand cream, nail polish, books, etc.
There are three different types of bags you can make: Adult bag, Teen bag or Mum & Bub bag. Once you’ve packed your bag, drop it off at your local Bunnings between 14 – 30 November 2025. Be sure to tag bag with a yellow ribbon for Teen bags and a purple ribbon for Mum & Bub bag. You can find the collection box at the front of Bunnings stores.
Your donation will go directly to someone living in crisis and in need of support during what could be one of the most difficult times in their life. Share the Dignity support people from all different backgrounds, those fleeing domestic violence, experiencing homelessness and those doing it tough. Can’t make it to a Bunnings? You can still help someone in need by sponsoring a bag online.
Maitland Mayor’s Christmas Toy and Food Appeal (TO BE CONFIRMED FOR 2025)
Help Maitland Region Community Support care for those less fortunate this festive season, by donating food, toys and other goodies at any of Maitland’s four local libraries as part of the Mayor’s Toy and Food Appeal. It runs until 22 November 2024.
Visit any of the four Maitland libraries in East Maitland, Maitland, Rutherford, or Thornton or the Maitland Administration Cenrre to donate non-perishable and Christmas-themed food items, new unwrapped toys and gifts.
Your contributions will help to create hampers for families in need across Maitland. Plus, all donated toys will find their way to the Susan Roskell Toy Drive, benefitting organisations in the region.
Drop off points include:
- Maitland City Library: 480 High Street, Maitland NSW 2320
- East Maitland Library: Garnett Road, East Maitland NSW 2323
- Rutherford Library: Arthur Street, Rutherford NSW 2320
- Thornton Library: Taylor Avenue, Thornton NSW 2323
- Maitland Administration Centre, 263 High Street, Maitland
Volunteer for Variety Kids Christmas Party in Newcastle (TO BE CONFIRMED)
Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT is calling out to our wonderful community to help them spread joy and creating magical memories for Newcastle kids and their families this festive season. Variety invites you to be a part of the Variety Kids Xmas Party at McDonald Jones Stadium on 5 December 2024 and help make it a day to remember! Find out more about their volunteering opportunities.
Join in the fun of the Bikers For Kids Newcastle Toy Run
The Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run is an annual community fundraising event benefiting the Salvos’ local Christmas Appeal. It is held on the first Sunday of December each year (7 December 2025) to raise funds for disadvantaged families and provide toys for kids that would otherwise go without this Christmas. Rider assembly is from 8am at Stockton for a 10am departure ride to a Community Fun Day at Connolly Park in Carrington
Donating to the toy run is a great way to give back this Christmas, monetary donations or toy donations are welcomed. The Newcastle Toy Run is the oldest annual event of its kind in Australia and the only RMS and police-approved and escorted ride.
Donate a gift to The Wishing Tree at Kmart
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australia’s largest and longest-running Christmas gift appeal. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Australian community, the Appeal has raised more than 8 million gifts that have been distributed to those in need by The Salvation Army.
The Wishing Tree Appeal runs from 10 November to 24 December 2025. With your gifts in tow, visit your local Kmart store and head to the Wishing Tree Station. Here you will find a sticker sheet containing two stickers. Please fill out the gift tag sticker by ticking the correct age bracket for your gift and then attach it to your gift and place it in the gift giving boxes at the base of the Wishing Tree.
You can also drop your gift at the Click & Collection location at any Kmart store. A Salvation Army representative will then collect the gifts from Kmart stores and oversee their distribution to those in need.
Gifts do not need to be purchased at Kmart, nor do they need to be wrapped. The Appeal is unable to accept used or second-hand gifts.
Wish list items include:
- Gift cards
- Books
- Sporting equipment
- Back to school supplies
- Arts & Crafts
- Headphones
- Educational toys
- Toiletries
- Musical instruments
This year, they are especially hoping for gifts that will bring joy to teenagers and help families connect and share special moments together. Some gift ideas include outdoor equipment, board games, headphones, gift cards, educational toys, backpacks, or arts and crafts.
You can also make a monetary contribution by scanning a Wishing Tree tag at any Kmart store register, do an online donation via scanning a QR code in store, or dropping a coin in a coin collection box located at the registers. Local participating stores include Glendale, Kotara, Maitland, Salamander Bay and Waratah.
Support Waves for Wishes 2025
Support Waves for Wishes, an event where you can surf in a festive outfit (like a Santa suit!) or cheer from the sand to support Make-A-Wish® Australia. Combining the ocean, community spirit, and Christmas cheer, the day, supported by She and the Sea Boardriders and Merewether Markets, aims to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Meet at Dixon Park for a surf and enjoy the markets, knowing that every wave and donation helps a wish come true for the 900 Wish kids currently waiting.
Buy a wish card from The Salvation Army
Buy a Wish gift card from the Salvation Army this Christmas. You can choose from a range of ideas to help those less fortunate. Through your monetary donation, the Salvation Army can provide assistance to vulnerable people in our community.
This includes:
- Christmas stocking for a child
- Christmas lunch hamper for a family
- Escape kit for a mother and child
- Street pack for a homeless person
Volunteer for Christmas Day Lunch in the Park with The Samaritans
No plans for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Why not be a volunteer for Samaritans for a community Christmas Lunch in Newcastle? The Hunter and Central Coast’s largest Christmas celebration has been annually hosted by Samaritans for the past 24 years. They aim to offer individuals and families experiencing homelessness, disadvantage or loneliness, much-needed compassion on Christmas Day.
Donate a hamper to Carrie’s Place
Carrie’s Place provides a range of culturally appropriate services for people experiencing experiencing domestic and family violence, and/or homelessness.in Maitland and the Lower Hunter. Carrie’s Place also provides a range of services to vulnerable people to support recovery and build resilience.
This year, Carrie’s Place is taking a different approach with Food Hampers. Instead of traditional food hampers, we’re seeking financial support to provide families with Groceries Only Gift Cards ahead of Christmas. This empowers families to shop for the food they truly need and enjoy, while respecting dietary preferences and allergies—offering dignity through choice.
Carrie’s Place also provides toy and gift hampers at Christmas as they support children from 0-19 years of age, both boys, girls and non-binary children. They support Mums, Dads and Grandparents with many clients living in multigenerational homes, as well as those with special needs. Here is a list of gift ideas that might help when shopping.
- Sporting equipment
- Art and craft supplies
- Lego
- Playing cards and board games
- Puzzles
- Books – for all ages
- Colouring in books – for all ages
- Lunch boxes and drink bottles
- Body wash packs
- Deodorant and shower gel packs
- Hand cream and body lotions
- Beauty and makeup packs
- Caps and hats
- Socls
- Beach towels
- Children’s beauty & hair products
- Chocolate or lolly stockings
Donate a hamper to Soul Hub 2025 Christmas Appeal
Soul Hub helps to support some of Newcastle’s most vulnerable people. They offer numerous services to help the homeless and disadvantaged people within our community. This holiday season, you can assist Soul Café in two ways.
You can donate to Soul Hub. They provided meals and services to vulnerable people in Newcastle and that is only possible because of the generous financial support of the Newcastle community. They rely on community funding, not government funding and a donation of $2 or more is tax deductible.
You can also create a Soul Christmas Hamper of Hope. Check out the Soul Hamper of Hope shopping list and buy the items on the shopping list. The Hampers of Hope are specially curated to bring joy and relief to families and individuals facing hardship this Christmas. Imagine the smiles and gratitude of those who receive these hampers, knowing that their community cares for them. Hampers can be delivered to Soul Café from Monday to Thursday between 7am and 2pm and 7am to 8:30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 November to 11 December 2025.
Donate new toys, children’s clothes & other items to We Care Connect
We Care Connect is a volunteer-powered local charity rehoming quality preloved children’s essentials with families who need them most on the Central Coast and Hunter Region. Their target group is the 30,000 children living in poverty throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Hunter and Central Coast region.
We Care Connect restores safety, dignity and self-worth to vulnerable children by providing them with great quality clothing, safe and warm bedding, essential equipment, and school/developmental items – all donated by generous community supporters.
You can donate a range of items to We Care Connect including quality pre-loved children’s clothing, shoes, nappies, changing mats, blankets and sheets, prams & strollers, car seats, high chairs, cots and mattresses and backpacks. Visit the We Care Connect website for a full list of items. Every item donated is provided FREE to a family in need.
There’s a number of drop off locations around the Hunter and Central Coast. If you’ve given away all of your baby and kids gear but still want to help, you can make a tax deductible donation.
Christmas Gift Appeal
We Care Connect have also launched their Christmas gift appeal as they are expecting 3000 children to need support throughout the Central Coast and the Hunter. The We Care Christmas program is all brand-new gifts – each child will receive a couple of large gifts, a book, a craft pack, and a couple of stocking fillers.
The gifts for We Care Christmas program need to be brand-new, unwrapped, and delivered to a drop of partner or one of their amazing community groups before Friday, 6 December. Please get in touch with We Care Connect via DM or email helen.b@wecareconnect.org.au if you and your business or community group or organisation would like to get involved in helping to spread some Christmas joy this year.
Get your presents wrapped for a gold coin donation
Need your presents wrapped? Visit the Christmas gift wrapping station in partnership with the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Volunteers will wrap your presents in exchange for a donation to the Mark Hughes Foundation. For a gold coin donation, a friendly volunteer will beautifully wrap your gifts, saving you time and adding a touch of festive flair to your presents.
Date: 10 – 24 December 2025
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm on Monday to Wednesday. 9:30am-6:30pm Thursdays, 9:30am – 3:30pm on Friday and 10am to 3pm on weekends.
Location: Outside Kmart
Recycle cans and bottles in exchange for a donation
You can make a donation to a charity through the NSW Return and Earn container deposit scheme. The scheme gives people 10c for every glass, plastic and aluminium drinking container returned.
The reverse vending machine has options to donate to not-for-profit and community organisations such as charities, sports clubs and schools. The recipients are rotated every three months.
Donate food to a community pantry
Take what you need. Leave what you can. This is the motto of Free Community Pantries. This Christmas, provide supplies to people who need it the most and fill up a community pantry. Items needed: tinned food with ring pull, pasta, rice, baby food, no-prep meals, toiletries, sanitary items, etc. There are community pantries located at Newcastle CBD (Christ Church Cathedral), Hamilton, (Awaba Park near Hamilton Station), Merewether (Outside Blue Door Cafe), Stockton (at the BBQ shelter adjacent to Lexies) and Tilligerry Peninsula (next to Uniting Church).
Volunteer at a community garden
Community gardens exist to produce local seasonal produce and create a sense of community. Get your kids involved in your local community garden. They’re a great way to learn how things grow and to meet your neighbours through working bees. There are a number of community gardens in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in which to get involved.
Help someone in your neighbourhood
You don’t have to go far to give back. See if you can help a family member or neighbour. Do you have an elderly neighbour who needs their lawns mowed, some help with groceries or a home-cooked meal? You can get your kids involved and demonstrate to them how you can help.
Do you have other tips to give back this holiday season? Email us.