THE Salvation Army is inviting the community to dig deep and get behind the Kmart Wishing Tree, which is celebrating its 30th year of giving back to those in need.
The annual appeal was launched at Midland Gate on Wednesday. .
Salvation Army Swan View captain Carol O’Leary said demand for help at Christmas was greater than ever.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“We are seeing a huge number of stressed out middle class families who are requesting help,” she said.
“Dad might have lost his job in the mining industry and they have absolutely nothing leftover to celebrate Christmas.
“Then there are those families who really want to give a present for a family in need, but are struggling themselves.”
Mrs O’Leary encouraged people to donate gifts for older children.
“We always receive a lot of gifts for younger children and the biggest age group we struggle with is ages 10 to 14,” she said.
“Good gifts for girls in this age group include toiletry gift packs and makeup kits and boys this age can be really hard so we suggest gift vouchers or backpacks.
“This year we are setting all the gifts up like a store and letting the parents select an age appropriate gift so we ask that all presents are left unwrapped.”
Mrs O’Leary said any surplus toys would be used for struggling families in outer regions.
“No toy gets left behind,” she said.
“Any toys left over go to families in need in areas without a Kmart such as York.”
The Kmart Wishing Tree will run until Christmas Eve.
MORE: Coolbellup man hopes CCTV footage can catch garden statue thieves
MORE: Church of Scientology clears final hurdle in establishing Rivervale centre