Marg Battle Rotary, Gerry and Anne van Horick Rotary, Arun Marappan Rotary President, Richard Selway Rotary, Andrew Ermel Rotary, Kate Isherwood Senior Constable, Talia Appleby Anchor, Erin Knight Anchor, Justin Cooper Anchor. (Claudia Mather: 587440)Each year, the initiative supports children, teens, and struggling families by ensuring they receive a thoughtful Christmas gift during the festive season.
The Lilydale Rotary Club is encouraging locals to donate if they can, as for many, this may be the only gift they receive, and the impact goes far beyond the item itself.
Anchor and the Proactive Policing unit support the Wishing Tree appeal through their frontline work with vulnerable families, including children in foster care, those in transitional housing, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Lilydale Rotary Club volunteers Gerry and Anne van Horick founded the appeal after the idea was floated through the club.
“The generosity of people is the biggest thing,” Ms van Horick said.
“People who are not doing all that well are quite prepared to think of other people, which is very generous.”
Community members are encouraged to donate a new unwrapped gift or gift card for ages 1-18
Mr van Horick said that vouchers are an essential part of the project, particularly for older children.
“It’s hard to buy a present for teenagers, and gift cards are really appreciated for them,” Mr Horick said.
President of Lilydale Rotary Club Arun Marappan said each year they are surprised by the amount of gifts people donate despite the ever-changing economy.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of gifts we’ve been getting each time.”
“We started with 800 presents in the first year, and last year was between 2500 and 3000 gifts.”
Senior Constable from Lilydale Proactive Policing Unit Kate Isherwood and Senior Constable Luke Eggington will be assisting to distribute the gifts from this year’s appeal.
Many of the families the Proactive Policing Unit engages with are often experiencing negative, stressful or traumatic circumstances.
“Being able to connect with them in a positive and meaningful way is vital for strengthening the relationship between Police and the community.”
Ms Isherwood said that being a part of the Wishing Tree Project and working for Victoria Police is truly rewarding.
“It showcases the positive side of policing and supporting and bringing joy to families in need during the Christmas season. Moments like these remind us why we chose this career,” she said.
Policing can take a toll on mental health, and projects such as the Wishing Tree appeal give officers the chance to do something positive and uplifting.
“Although we don’t always get to see the children’s faces when they receive their gifts, simply knowing the joy it brings is truly special,” Ms Isherwood said.
The Lilydale Proactive Policing Unit has been proud to partner with Rotary and Anchor on this project since the beginning.
Anchor will also distribute a large amount of the gifts donated to the appeal.
Anchor Community Care Chief Executive Heidi Tucker said Anchor is incredibly grateful for the long-term partnership they have with the Lilydale Rotary Club and the efforts of the businesses involved in the appeal each year.
“Our frontline teams really love being able to deliver the presents to the young people and families to help brighten their Christmases,” she said.
Across the country, including in the outer east, young people are spending their Christmas in tents, boarding houses, motels and in the child protection system.
“Many of the children we have supported this year have moved between motels, couches and sometimes the family car,” she explained.
“A lot of them learn very early not to ask for anything, so a gift with their name on it this Christmas tells them in a very direct way that someone was thinking about them.”
All of the gifts that get donated tell children and families that the community cares about them, at a time of year when some need to hear it most.
“I can’t think of a better feeling to inspire people during Christmas time,” Ms Tucker said.
Over the past year, Anchor has seen an increase in different kinds of families coming to the crisis service.
The housing and rental availability in the Yarra Ranges is among the tightest in the country.
This means families that are struggling are starting to make up more of the cohort of homelessness in the area.
“We are starting to see more instances where there is one or two parents in the family who are working, but are still finding themselves needing support,” Ms Tucker said.
Ms Tucker said it is rewarding to see the relief on the faces of parents they support.
“They will have been experiencing a lot of crisis, uncertainty, and fear. Everything that goes with homelessness.”
“But getting to feel that warmth from the community, and knowing we are all here to support them, really does an incredible amount of good.”
Ms van Horick said no matter the size of the gift, every donation helps.
For anyone wishing to donate in person, bright red donation boxes can be found in multiple locations across the outer east, including the Yarra Ranges.
The locations participating in this year’s appeal are: Aaron Violi Electorate Office Lilydale, Bridget Vallence Electorate Office Lilydale, Bright Horizons Childcare in Croydon North, Childrens House of Early Learning in Mt Evelyn and Borina, CIRE’s hubs, Community Bank Bendigo in Mooroolbark and Mt Evelyn, Conquer Chronic Clinic in Croydon, Eastern Region Library Lilydale, Emerald Family Dental Care, Fully Promoted in Glen Waverly and Kilsyth, Genesis Health and Fitness Lilydale, Heritage Funerals, Jellis Craig Lilydale, Johnstone and Reimer Lawyers Lilydale, Lakeview Kindergarden and Childcare, Lilydale Heights College, Lilydale Marketplace, Manchester Road Dental in Mooroolbark, Micare in Montrose, Mingarra Retirement Village Croydon, Monbulk Dental Care, Papilio Early Learning Croydon, Physica Chirnside Park, The Sweat Playground Lilydale, The Running Company Lilydale, Yarra Hills Secondary in Mooroolbark and Mt Evelyn, Heather Telford Croydon, Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes Kilsyth and the Mother Club Shield Bowling Team.
Donations can be made until the first week of December.
Monetary donations can be made following link Donate here
article in star Mail 31/10/2026 by Claude Mather.