The 2012 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal was launched by Mayor Jenny Hill on Wednesday 10 October.

Monetary donations are accepted all year.  If you wish to donate online or find out where you can donate, click here.

What is the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal?

• The appeal has been running for over 20 years and provides cash, food and gift donations to a variety of local non-profit organisations for distribution at this special time of the year.

What happens with the cash that is donated?

• The monies received throughout the appeal assist in providing food hampers for distribution through Food Relief NQ to local non-profit organisations for distribution to families and individual in need. Food vouchers are also purchased with these funds.

Does council keep any of the money that is received or use it for the promotion and paying staff of the appeal?

• No.  100% of all donations are utilised for the production of hampers and purchase of vouchers for distribution.

Is my cash donation tax deductible?

• Donations over $2 are tax deductible as the Appeal is registered with the Australian Tax Office as deductible gift recipient.  Please ask for a receipt when making your donation.

What foods do we accept?

• Any non-perishable food items ie; tin food, boxed and packet foods, Christmas items (lollies, Christmas cake, tin hams etc.)

What happens to donated food?

• The food collected throughout the Appeal is delivered to Food Relief NQ for distribution.

Does council keep any of the food or gifts?

• No.

What sort of gifts do we accept?

• All gifts that are suitable for male and females from 0 – 99 years. We don’t accept anything that would be deemed dangerous, perishable, alcohol, or of an inappropriate nature.

Should the gifts be wrapped?

• Gifts can be donated wrapped or unwrapped.  If donated gifts are wrapped, we ask that you place on the outside a tag that advises the age group and sex the gift is suitable for.

Is there anything we do not accept?

• Anything that would be deemed dangerous, perishable, alcohol, or of an inappropriate nature.

Can I come into to council and receive cash, food or gifts at Christmas?

• No.  You would need to contact one of the many recipient organisations within the community that provide assistance at this time of year.  A list of recipient organisations is available on our website.  Many other organisations are also available to assist at this time of year that may not be recipients of the Appeal. Contact your local Centrelink office or welfare organisation for a list of those organisations that maybe able to assist.

How do we choose the recipients?

• Recipient organisations either reply to an advertisement or by mail invitation.  The applying recipient organisation is then checked for their suitability. The Mayor of the city makes final selection and approval.

Do we assist individuals with gifts, food or monetary assistance?

• As stated previously, we are unable to assist individuals and we recommend individuals contact the many organisations that are available to assist at this time of year.