General News
31 October, 2025
Shoppers encouraged to spread cheer
WITH the festive season fast approaching, shoppers are being encouraged to spread a little extra Christmas cheer once again this year.
Visitors to Warrnambool’s Gateway Plaza will again have the opportunity to donate a gift to the Mackillop Family Service’s annual Christmas appeal – and help make Christmas that little brighter for children in foster care.
Last year just over 350 presents were distributed to foster families across Warrnambool and this year it is hoped even more presents will be donated during the ‘Gateway Gifting Tree’ campaign.
A Christmas tree will be placed inside Gateway, adorned with tags that shoppers can take and place on a new gift.
These gifts can then be left at centre management, ready for collection by the team from Mackillop Family Services.
“We’re thrilled that Gateway has once again got on board and helping us make Christmas just that little bit easier, and more enjoyable, for foster children and their families,” MacKillop’s career recruitment and development coordinator, Alana Umbers, said.
“Christmas can be an extremely difficult time for our foster families who are often struggling to purchase gifts and other treats for the festive season.
“This is one way we can all show our support and bring some festive cheer. We welcome donations of gifts for children from birth through to 17 year-olds.
“We’ve found that we receive quite a lot of gifts for young children and babies but not so many for older teens. Gift vouchers for local shops would be ideal for them.”
Gifts will be accepted at Gateway Plaza from next Monday, November 3 through to December 12, allowing time for distribution before Christmas Day.
