WA’s newly appointed Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO, officially launched the St Vincent de Paul Society’s 2014 Christmas Appeal at Government House on Thursday, 4 December 2014.
Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson said she was pleased to be able to take part in the official launch as she knows how important the work of the Society is in the community.
“The St Vincent de Paul Society is one of WA’s longest-serving charities, advocating for the marginalised and disadvantaged in WA,” Her Excellency said.
“I know the WA community is very generous and I hope they can support the Vinnies Christmas Appeal which will provide financial assistance, clothing, food hampers and gifts for children who would otherwise wake up to nothing on Christmas morning.
“The launch event is also an opportunity for the St Vincent de Paul Society to acknowledge and thank its many dedicated volunteers and corporate and community supporters, all of whom are pivotal in enabling the Society to continue to help those in need,” Mrs Sanderson said.
CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society in WA, Mark Fitzpatrick, said the Society is seeing first-hand the dire impacts of the increasing cost of living on families and individuals.
“As most of us prepare to celebrate the festive season with family and friends, there are countless Australians facing the prospect of a desperate Christmas as they struggle to pay their bills, provide food and gifts for their children, or worse, find somewhere safe to call home,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
“We have already seen an increase in the number of people looking for help this Christmas, and many are turning to charity for the first time,” he said.
This year’s appeal reminds people that we all have the capacity to ‘Do Something About It’ and make a life changing difference at Christmas.
“Together, we can assist people experiencing disadvantage within the community over the Christmas period,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
The Vinnies Christmas Appeal runs to the end of January 2015.
To donate to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, go to www.vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12.