Christmas is a time of shameless indulgence, but it's also a time for giving. Whether you're a deadly amalgam of efficiency and generosity and you've already donated or you're hatching plans to, we've got tips from 24 local organisations on how we can all give more thoughtfully this Christmas.
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With many Canberrans donating stuffed toys and children's books each year, often the older kids and teenagers are left behind in the gift-giving stakes.
"When donors think of kids, they don't normally think of the older ones, the teens," Anglicare ACT fundraising and events officer Tatum Zotti said.
"Often we struggle to find gifts for older kids aged 16-18, so it would be great to have clothing vouchers or vouchers for experiences like movies or trips to the National Zoo, events which could really make a teen's Christmas."
Women's refuge services also highlighted the need for locals to donate gift cards for shops like Kmart and Target. While disadvantaged children receive gifts from the refuge centres, their mothers relish the opportunity to use gift cards to choose presents for their children on their own.
Here's where and what to donate this Christmas:
ACT Rescue and Foster
What they do: Educate the Canberra community about responsible dog companionship, co-operate with local pounds to rescue dogs from euthanasia and foster dogs until they find permanent homes.
What they need: Clean blankets, towels, dog collars and leads.
How to give: Email info@fosterdogs.org.
ACT Wildlife
What they do: Educates the public about native animals in the ACT through school and community group visits and through phone enquiries. Volunteers are trained in tasks associated with the rehabilitation of wildlife when they are orphaned, sick or injured.
What they need: Quality bird seed, petrol vouchers for animal transport volunteers, second-hand or new artificial grass for animal cages.
How to give: Drop off at ACT Wildlife building, Jerrabomberra Wetlands, 2 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick. 10am-3pm weekdays, call 0432 300 033 to arrange pickup, or donate money directly via the webpage http://www.actwildlife.net/donation-info.html
Anglicare
What they do: Help children and families break free from poverty.
What they need: Gifts for teens, including vouchers for clothing, zoo visits and movie tickets.
How to give: Call 6245 7100 to arrange a drop-off.
Barnardos
What they do: Provide out-of-home care and accommodation services for disadvantaged children, teens and their families in Canberra.
What they need: Gifts for teens, including clothing vouchers and sporting equipment.
How to give: Call 6228 9500 to arrange a drop-off.
Beryl Refuge
What they do: Provide low-cost crisis housing to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence.
What they need: Gift cards from stores like Kmart and Target and phone recharge cards.
How to give: Call 6230 6900, and they will collect your items.
Canberra City Care
What they do: Offer low-cost food, clothing, IT equipment and debt management to 300 local families each week through their community hub.
What they need: Children's toys.
How to give: Take donations directly to Canberra City Care at 20 Cartwright Street, Charnwood.
Canberra Hospital Foundation
What they do: Support patients and their families by responding to the areas of need through community support.
What they need: New crotcheted blankets and beanies, books and artwork.
How to give: Take donations directly to the main foyer of the Canberra Hospital.
Canberra Pet Rescue
What they do: Rescue cats and kittens about to be euthanised at pounds, and take in those who have been surrendered or abandoned and find them a permanent home.
What they need: Cat litter, worming tablets, flea combs, wet and dry cat food, and gift vouchers for Coles or Woolworths.
How to give: Email canberrapetrescue@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off.
Canberra Refugee Support
What they do: Support refugees in Canberra through advocacy, helping find accommodation, English courses, scholarships and more.
What they need: Furniture and white goods.
How to give: Canberra Refugee Support has an agreement with Fyshwick Salvos, so you can donate to the store directly.
Communities @ Work
What they do: Serve the Canberra community by providing children's services, offering qualifications in early education and care. They also support seniors, people with disabilities and disadvantaged members of the community.
What they need: Gifts for teen to adult males including hygiene products and vouchers for movie tickets or go-kart sessions.
How to give: Take donations directly to the Tuggeranong Community Centre, Gungahlin Community Centre or their giving trees at Southpoint, Cooleman Court and Casey Marketplace.
The Early Morning Centre (UnitingCare Canberra City)
What they do: A community hub supporting Canberrans who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of experiencing homelessness or experiencing social isolation. They offer a free, hot nutritious breakfast five days a week along with essential services and facilities including showers, lockers and computers with internet access.
What they need: Non-perishable foods, gift vouchers for Coles or Woolworths, small sunscreen bottles, hair comb or brush, toothbrush, facewash and hats with brims.
How to give: Call 6247 5041 or email emc@canberracityuca.org.au to organise drop off.
HOME in Queanbeyan
What they do: Provide long-term supported accommodation for 20 men and women with mental illness who can’t live independently, or who may be at risk of homelessness.
What they need: New pyjamas, underpants, toiletries, toilet paper, and non-perishable foods.
How to give: Call 6284 2409 to arrange a drop-off.
Karinya House
What they do: Offer outreach services and a secure environment for women without support and accommodation who are pregnant or parenting newborns. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What they need: Gifts for mothers (not just the kids), including non-perishable food items, gift vouchers from Kmart or Target, and gift vouchers from Woolworths or Coles for women to purchase fresh food for Christmas.
How to give: Call 6259 8998 or email info@karinyahouse.asn.au to arrange a drop-off.
Lifeline Canberra
What they do: Support people in crisis and save the lives of those experiencing suicidal thoughts.
What they need: Books for the Lifeline Bookfair which raises funds for their crisis services. Also, they need your time in the form of crisis support.
How to give: Take donations directly to the 40 Heffernan St, Mitchell, ACT and find out more about training as a Lifeline Telephone Crisis Supporter at www.act.lifeline.org.au/Volunteer/become-a-lifeline-telephone-counsellor.
The Little Pantry (Woden Community Service)
What they do: A place where members of the community can visit in times of need. It's open Thursdays 9.30am-1.00pm (or any weekday for emergency packs) for people to choose a small number of non-perishable foods and personal items.
What they need: Non-perishable food items and toiletries.
How to give: Drop off donations at Woden Community Service, 26 Corinna St, or call 6282 2644 for more information.
Little Oak Sanctuary
What they do: Run a sanctuary farm which homes exploited and vulnerable animals. They also work with local government and animal welfare groups to create policy changes to better support animals.
What they need: Large dog coats, fencing supplies, wheelbarrows, non-leather work gloves, heavy-duty blankets, and chicken houses. You can also donate your time if you are a skilled fencer, electrician, shed builder, mechanic, or plumber.
How to give: Email info@littleoaksanctuary.org to arrange a drop-off or pick-up.
Louisa Domestic Violence Service
What they do: Provides advice, support and crisis accommodation to people escaping domestic and family violence.
What they need: Petrol vouchers (so mothers can visit their families), non-perishable food, and gift cards.
How to give: Call 6299 4799 to arrange a drop-off.
Marymead
What they do: Offer child and family counselling, support services for people with disabilities and their families, early intervention programs, out-of-home care, post-separation support, and the Autism Centre.
What they need: Sporting equipment, clothing and tickets to movies and events.
How to give: Take donations directly to the Rheinberger Centre at the corner of Loch & Weston Streets, Yarralumla.
Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc.
What they do: Provide settlement-related services for migrants and refugees in Canberra by assisting with language, welfare, employment, and advocating for equity for people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
What they need: Children's toys, non-perishable food for the adults, and food hampers.
How to give: Take donations directly to Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc at Level 2, 180 London Circuit, Civic.
Ronald McDonald House Canberra
What they do: Help keep families with their seriously ill children and close to the care their child needs. They run the Canberra Ronald McDonald House and Family Room located inside the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children in Garran.
What they need: Food for families' pantries, vouchers for Woolworths or Coles, and movie vouchers for time away from the hospital.
How to give: Email events.canberra@rmhc.org.au to confirm the donations they need.
Roundabout Canberra
What they do: Receive donations of secondhand infant and childrens items and work with more than 35 local social services to provide them to families experiencing hardship.
What they need: Clothing for children aged six to 10 (in excellent condition), cot and bassinet mattress protectors, school-related items such as backpacks and lunchboxes, toys for children aged five to 10 (no soft toys).
How to give: Items can be dropped off to us during our regular weekly volunteer sessions at Sports Club Kaleen. The days/times can be found on our website, or we can be reached at info@roundaboutcanberra.org
RSPCA
What they do: Home thousands of animals each year, respond to animal cruelty complaints, desex companion animals, and advocate for animal welfare.
What they need: Treats and play toys for all different species and bird seed (dogs and cats tend to get all the gifts!).
How to give: Take donations directly into RSCPA ACT, 12 Kirkpatrick Street, Weston, and put them under their tree.
St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn
What they do: Assists people experiencing poverty and disadvantage in the community. As well as visiting individuals and families in their homes, Vinnies run a range of support programs across the Canberra/Goulburn region.
What they need: New toys, non-perishable food for hampers and blankets.
How to give: Call 6234 7347 or email marketing@svdp-cg.org.au to arrange a pick-up or drop-off.
Toora Women Inc.
What they do: Support women who have experienced trauma such as domestic and sexual violence, drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues and homelessness, or been through the ACT corrections system.
What they need: New toys, food hampers, toiletries, new bedding for single beds (pillows, pillow protectors and mattress protectors), newborn baby care items, bath towels, and face washers.
How to give: Call 6122 7000 or email tooraadmin@toora.org.au to arrange a drop-off.
If you have a group to add to the list, email serena.coady@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
