BCM
The Giving Tree Appeal 2024
A cross community gifting campaign to help families in need at Christmas time.
Story
The Giving Tree is an annual cross-community effort to make Christmas a brighter and happier time for families in need in Northern Ireland.
For over 30 years the appeal has worked on multiple fronts, including Belfast Central Mission's annual Toy Appeal, and St Vincent De Paul's annual Christmas Appeal. This campaign supports each initiative equally and encourages close co-working to achieve the best outcome for our families and children. The service is supported also by the committed team of volunteers from the NI Department for Communities.
This year, BCM is encouraging individuals, workplaces, organisations, and communities to help them once again provide a sense of joy to as many families as possible.
In 2023, through its community partners, the Appeal distributed over 5000 gift parcels across Belfast and Northern Ireland and £11000 in vouchers to support families during the winter months, over half of which was through money donated by NICS colleagues. This support allows families in need some breathing room to 'do Christmas' without jeopardising already stretched household budgets.
Belfast Central Mission Superintendent Rev. David Campton comments "The Appeal is not just about toys, but rather showing an act of kindness to those who need it most. This year we are working with partners to maximise the impact for our recipients. We continue to work closely with St Vincent De Paul in supporting family life in the wider sense as well. The Appeal is becoming more holistic in the help offered over time, which can only be a positive for all involved. As well as helping people in need at Christmas time, we are equally focused on preventing those needs occurring in the first instance."
SVP Regional Manager Pauline Brown adds “Last year SVP spent £5m in assistance to families and individuals living in poverty. The volunteers make home visits across every town, village and city in Northern Ireland providing valuable support to those in local communities and this is made possible by the generous donations that the Society receives.
We all know how important it is to experience the wonder of Christmas. A time of year for giving those who are faced with impossible choices the dignity and choice to celebrate Christmas in the most special way. You can give the gift of choice and buy vouchers so SVP volunteers can empower families to have the freedom to make their own decisions about what to buy to suit their needs.
Relationships like that of Belfast Central Mission and Department for Communities help us to deliver help right into the heart of local communities across the Region at Christmas, when a voucher or a financial donation can help a dad buy the gift the child has asked Santa for or help mum put the Christmas dinner on the table. We are grateful for your continued dedication in supporting our Christmas Appeal.
