Tree offers needy relief

There are already presents under the Kmart Wishing Tree ready to brighten the faces of Albany families in need this Christmas.

The appeal launched last Thursday and, together with the local Salvation Army, Kmart is trying to get people to rally to help families doing it tough in the festive period.

Wishing Tree champion Anthony Turner said organisers did not want anyone to feel forgotten at such a happy time of the year.

“During Christmas there are a lot of people who don’t have enough money to afford the celebrations and presents for their family, or they may just need the extra help,” he said. “The Salvation Army will help distribute all the presents that are donated to Albany families in this situation.

“People from Mt Barker, Denmark and wherever the Salvation Army can reach, we will share the presents to those families.”

The Kmart Wishing Tree is an Australia-wide appeal which asks people to donate presents or money to help out. With catastrophic bushfires ravaging the Eastern States, cash donations received before December 1 will go towards bushfire relief.

Gift donations are open until December 24 and money can be given until January 31.