The spirit of giving is alive and well in Lilydale, as the Rotary Club of Lilydale proudly launches its 2025 Christmas Gift
Wishing Tree Appeal, set to run from early November to early December.
 
 
This is the fifth year we have run the appeal and the appeal is now a beloved local tradition.

Each year, this appeal supports children and young people in foster care, kinship care, and those from struggling families,
by ensuring they receive a thoughtful gift during the festive season. For many of these children, this may be the only gift
they receive – and the impact goes far beyond the item itself. It is a reminder that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
 
Your contribution can help make Christmas a little brighter for hundreds of young lives.

Rotary Club Lilydale will again be supporting Anchor and Lilydale Proactive Policing Unit who will distribute gifts and gift
cards directly to the vulnerable children/young people.
 
Anchor is a community services provider in Melbourne’s Outer East operating across three important areas of community
life – Children in out of home care, youth at risk and families and children who are homeless.
 
The Lilydale Proactive Policing Unit deal with many people and children in the local area who find themselves in distressing
and difficult circumstances. 
 
The process is simple: community members are encouraged to donate a new unwrapped gift or a Gift Card. Vouchers are
also an essential part of the project, particularly for older children, it allows young people in the 14 to 18 age group to
choose something meaningful for themselves.

Rotary thanks the following organisations for being part of this Appeal. If you wish to donate a gift look for our bright red
collection box at one of the following locations.
 
Rotary Club Lilydale acknowledge and thank the following businesses for their participation and support however these are not drop off points for the general public
Rotary Lilydale has relaunched our MyCause donation page to give people who aren’t able
to buy a physical gift the chance to donate funds instead - these contributions will be turned into gift
cards for teens.
 
Whether it’s a toy, book, puzzle, or something special for a teenager—every gift makes a difference.
For updates on where and how to donate, follow the Rotary Club of Lilydale on Facebook or visit out official website.

Let’s come together as a community to make Christmas a little brighter for every child.