As Christmas approaches, Our Village is warning that hundreds of Victorian children are at risk of waking on Christmas morning without joy, comfort, or the basics they need.

The charity has launched its 2025 Festive Appeal as demand soars, with 835 children currently waiting for urgently needed essentials.

Christmas, traditionally a time of celebration, increasingly highlights the widening gap for families experiencing hardship. Many will face the day with no gifts under the tree, no festive meal, and ongoing financial strain intensified by rising living costs. While the charity recognises that most are doing it tough, they are imploring the community to dig deep and make a monetary donation to help those in desperate need.

Our Village rehomes high-quality essential items to vulnerable babies and children  across Victoria, providing everything from safe sleeping spaces and clothing bundles to prams and book packs. But right now, demand far exceeds capacity, with the charity assisting over 20,000 babies and children each year.

The appeal highlights the real cost of delivering help, and how monetary donations make a difference:

• $25 – can provide a book pack, offering joy and escape for a child
• $59 – can supply a bundle of clothes to last a child a whole year
• $123 – rehomes a pram to give parents and carers freedom
• $201 – provides a safe place for a baby to sleep
• $1,070 – funds The Whole Kit and Caboodle, an entire year of essentials for a newborn

“No child should miss out on the magic of Christmas,” said Our Village CEO, Ruth Holdaway. “There are hundreds of babies and children who don’t even have the essentials that most of us take for granted. We urgently need funds to help us deliver safety, dignity and a little festive magic before Christmas.”

Case workers report that children receiving an Our Village pack, often including a small gift or pre-loved book, experience moments of pure joy, especially those navigating trauma, sudden family changes, or homelessness.

Anna, a case worker partner said “Usually, when our families are struggling with housing, there’s some level of family violence, mental health challenges, financial difficulties, or a lack of social support and connections as well. They’re so overwhelmed by many complex challenges.”

Krystle* is one such person, finding herself a full-time carer for her 10-year-old niece after her sister died suddenly. In her mid-forties, reliant on disability support and her resources stretched thin, she is so grateful for the help Our Village has been able to provide. “We were so lucky to be given a pack with beautiful, high quality pre-loved clothes and shoes and a book. My niece had tears in her eyes, it was a magical moment.”

With the charity receiving close to 50 requests for help every single day, financial contributions are urgently needed to ensure volunteers can continue safety checks, cleaning, sorting, packing and distribution.

“Every dollar helps turn hardship into hope,” Ruth said. “This appeal is about restoring dignity, wrapping children in care, letting them know that they’re seen and valued, and reminding parents and carers they’re not alone.”

Donations to the Festive Appeal can be made here.

* Name changed to protect identity

Media Contact: hello@ourvillage.org.au 

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