Stories

By Mikayla van Loon 

In the spirit of giving and thanks the Rotary Club  of Lilydale expressed its sincere gratitude to those  across the Yarra Ranges who hosted and supported the 2024 Wishing Tree project with a dinner earlier this week. 

Bringing together representatives from all 35  businesses, community groups and individuals on  Tuesday 25 February, the night celebrated yet another successful year of gift giving. 

The donations, which primarily supported  Anchor Community Care and the Yarra Ranges  Proactive Policing Unit, also exceeded expectations enabling Rotary to provide gifts to Anglicare,  Oonah, Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing  Service and Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief  Service. 

“This is the fourth year we’ve run the appeal.  We can't even imagine making any difference at  Christmas time without having the backing of  people like yourselves. In many ways, this is also  our project. Together, we can make a difference,”  

Wishing Tree coordinator Gerry Van Horick said. “There was an increased uncertainty compared to the previous year about what the outcome  could be due to ever increasing cost of living pressures that affect many people in the community. “However, we were completely blown away  with the level of support and the level of giving that  seemed to increase in line with the increasing level  of need in the community. People were very generous in their gifts and gift cards donated exceeded  last year’s totals.” 

“You all made a contribution and put in, whatever your efforts and contribution it is very much  appreciated. It has made a difference. Every gift is a  gift. It made a difference to someone at Christmas  time,” he said. 

Anchor Community Care chief executive officer Heidi Tucker said she was once again “astonished” by the “compassion and generosity” of the  community but also the growth in the project year  on year. 

“Your commitment to bringing joy to children  and families who are struggling at Christmas is absolutely heart warming and inspiring. We can’t underestimate the life changing impact that receiving  presents from caring and compassionate strangers  can mean for children, young people and families  across Australia,” she said. 

“The reality is there are too many young people  who spend Christmas in tents, boarding houses,  

motels and in the child protection system. Christmas is especially hard for young people in these  situations, they’re painfully aware of how different  their lives are compared to their friends and peers. 

“The gifts you collect are so much more than  just a present for these young people, they make  children feel seen, special and valid, something  their circumstances rarely allow for.” 

Ms Tucker spoke of one story, a 12-year-old  boy, who with his mother and sisters escaped family violence and were homeless. He received a bike  from the Wishing Tree appeal. 

“His mother was overjoyed by the donation, as  her son had been asking for a bike, but she knew  she wouldn’t be able to afford one. Thanks to the  generosity of this community, you have helped us  to turn a difficult year for them into one that ends  with hope,” she said. 

For them, that was just the beginning of their  hope, securing a private rental this year through  Anchor’s support and with a bike, Ms Tucker said,  this young boy will have the freedom to see friends  and “feel normal”. 

Attending the dinner on behalf of Leading Senior Constable Luke Egginton, Proactive Policing  Unit Senior Constable Kate Isherwood spoke of  the positive impact and connection the gifts have  allowed. 

“Often we visit people who have come into  police contact. They’re either victims of a crime  or they’ve been caught up in a crime, and usually  there’s another underlying reason for how they  found themselves in that situation and come into  police contact,” she said. 

“The Wishing Tree Project has actually given us  a gift as the proactive unit, more than you’d know.  When we come into contact with people, it’s not a  good day for those people. It’s not a good day for  us. 

“However, we’ve been able to break down some  barriers, we’ve been able to use the Wishing Tree  Project to meet the people who are normally a  little bit reluctant to see us. I cannot explain how  good that has been for breaking down barriers and  encouraging our community that we all live in to  come to us when they need support.” 

SC Isherwood said the stories heard through  the project were extremely touching and showed  just how valuable a gift can be in bringing joy and  hope. 

“While handing out the gifts to some of the parents, they shared some of their stories, of their life  challenges, the ones they currently face and have  faced, and it was clear as to why I was met with  tears of joy and appreciation,” she said. 

Many of those involved in the 2024 Wishing  Tree have already put their hand up for the 2025  appeal. 

The Wishing Tree project was supported by 35 businesses and organisations in 2024. Each one was  thanked on Tuesday 25 February.