Media Release: 16th September, 2025
The Spirit of Giving Shines Bright in 2025
This festive season, the spirit of giving is shining brighter than ever across Northeast Victoria and Southern NSW. The Give a Gift Appeal is back and it’s even bigger in 2025!
This year, three local organisations, UMFC, Centre Against Violence (CAV), and Gateway Health, have joined forces to bring joy to the children and young people they support. With this expanded partnership, the appeal aims to reach even more children and young people in need, ensuring they experience the joy and magic of the festive season.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our communities, last year’s appeal delivered festive season gifts to over 291 children and young people across the region. An additional 40 children were supported through sharing of donations with other community organisations, highlighting the widespread impact and community spirit that drives this initiative.
These gifts went far beyond toys and supplies. For children and young people facing trauma, poverty, discrimination, family separation, and other hardships, each gift was a symbol of hope. Whether it was homewares for a young person beginning their journey into independent living or a toy for a child who has experienced family violence, every donation carried a powerful message: you are seen, you are valued, and your future matters.
This year’s appeal is powered by the kindness of everyday community members, families, businesses, and local groups. Their generosity is the heart of this campaign, and the partnering organisations are deeply grateful for every contribution.
The organisations wish to proudly acknowledge the support of Helen Haines MP, Hume Bank, Oak FM, Wangaratta Knights Rugby League, Wangaratta West Primary, F&S Real Estate, Boomerang Bags Wangaratta, and CWA Boorhaman, who continue to champion community-led initiatives like this one.
How You Can Help
Whether you’re an individual, a workplace, or a community group, there are many ways to get involved:
Spread the word
Share the appeal on social media, in newsletters, or through information at your workplace.
Collect gifts and supplies
Organise a collection of new toys, sporting equipment, school supplies, or gift cards.
Drop off donations at
- UMFC Wangaratta – 36 Mackay Street
- UMFC Wodonga – 27–29 Stanley Street
- Gateway Health – 155 High Street, Wodonga
- Gateway Health – 45-47 Mackay Street, Wangaratta VIC 3677
- Any Hume Bank branch across the region
Make a monetary donation
Visit the Give a Gift Appeal page to contribute funds that will go toward gift vouchers, experiences, festive season items, school supplies, and other identified needs.
To ensure their teams can deliver donations to families before holiday season, the organisations kindly ask that all contributions be received on or before December 8th. Donations will be accepted from this month.
Together, our communities can come together to make this festive season brighter for children and young people who need it most.
For more information or to donate, please visit https://umfc.com.au/donation/donations-give-a-gift/ or contact 02 6055 8000.
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