It was a scene similar to those being played out in households across the country on Christmas morning: squeals of delight from children waking to stockings bursting with presents, weary mums woken early to the excitement of kids eager to open the presents beneath the tree, and other mums getting an early start on cooking up a Christmas feast for family and friends.
Except these families were spending Christmas in refuge, and much of the joy and excitement was thanks to families, individuals, and businesses they have never met and will never be able to thank.
Preparations for Christmas in refuge began in November, with many of our regular donors keen to make sure there was enough time for gifts to be collected and distributed to our refuges.
Refuge Victoria staff worked closely with a very special donor who drew on her extensive contacts to create Christmas gift hampers for every mother and child in refuge, and we received boxes of toys, donated by families, businesses and community groups, determined to make sure no child in refuge missed out.
We also received gift bags packed with goodies for mothers, to make sure they had a very merry Christmas as well.
Staff at several workplaces, including Contour Consultants, the Eastern Clinical Research Unit at Monash University, Ray White Real Estate Croydon, Jetstar, and Telstra, came together to raise funds and collect presents.
Tennis Australia Foundation delivered bags full of sporting equipment, as well as tickets to the Australian Open for families in refuge.
During the week prior to Christmas, our refuge staff set up ‘shops’ on-site, where kids and their mothers could ‘buy’ gifts for each other. We wish every donor could see the delight on the faces of families as they choose presents for those they love – something they have rarely had the chance to do.
Many of the ‘shop’ presents came from our friends at Melbourne construction firm, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), who had once again stepped up, with staff running a Christmas giving drive, including toys, presents, decorations, and Christmas crafting activities, as well as a financial donation.
As long-time supporters, RLB knows that at Christmas, cash donations are so important.
Families coming into refuge often feel powerless over their own lives. The simple act of being able to go shopping and purchase gifts not only meant the recipient received something they really wanted, it put power back where family violence had stripped it.
One little boy chose a band t-shirt for his mum. He was over the moon, because he knew his mum loved this band. He told us his mum never buys things she likes for herself. He was so proud.
A mum, who spent Christmas with us in refuge, became emotional when she told us of the joy of actually being able to buy significant presents for her kids for the first time ever.
For families in refuge, this Christmas Day was one day when they could set aside their worries and problems, and just enjoy being together with staff and each other, eating a delicious Christmas feast, and watching the magic and happiness in their children’s play.
We would like to warmly thank all the individuals, businesses and community organisations who donated to Refuge Victoria this Christmas.
If you have a fundraising idea or your workplace is looking for a workplace giving charitable partner in 2025, we’d love to have a chat. Drop us a line here.