Media Release: Mission Australia to hold free families week community event at Miller Square

Mission Australia’s Miller Pathways will hold a free Community Fun Day to encourage families in the 2168 area to celebrate National Families Week 2011.

The Miller Families Week community event will be held at Miller Square, Lady Woodward Crescent, Miller from 11am – 2pm on Friday 20th May 2011.

Lucy Reggio, Community Development Project Officer for Miller Pathways says the Families Day aims to provide fun, safe family activities and information to the community.

“The Day aims to highlight the importance of families and provide information on how to best support children and provide parents or carers with information on how to access assistance if needed,” Ms Reggio said.

Highlights of the event will include a speech from our Mayor Wendy Waller; mobile play centre; free give away prizes and show bags, face painting; free sausage sizzle; local school performances; local singing groups; a roaming entertainer; stalls providing information on local family and children’s services and lots more.

Each year, National Families Week celebrates families’ contribution and role in our society and this year it is being held from 15-21 May, coinciding with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15 May. Hundreds of community groups, businesses and government departments register local events around the country.

The central aim of National Families Week 2011 is to celebrate the vital role that families play. This year’s theme is 'STICKING TOGETHER: families in good and tough times’.

“Mission Australia is encouraging everyone to think about the things that make their family strong in both the good and the hard times, whatever their circumstances, Ms Reggio said. “Let’s all take the time to explore ways we can support each other – in our families and communities – through all the ups and downs of daily life.”

Media contact: Leanne Budd 0457 505 342

Jingle Bells in a Virtual World!

Are you a serial last-minute Christmas shopper? Do you hear the cry - “only five weeks till Christmas,” and say to yourself: “that’s heaps of time”? If you answered yes to both these questions then store the links below somewhere safe – you just might need them!

The virtual Christmas tree
Mission Australia has turned the concept of a charity tree on its head and created Australia’s first 'virtual charity tree' on our website. The interactive design allows visitors to the tree to choose from a range of Christmas eGifts by clicking on one of the six themed gift tags.

The eGifts range from a Christmas dinner for a family doing it tough, to phone cards for the homeless to help them get in touch with family. Once you have selected your eGift tags, you can choose to send a link to your friends asking them to donate on your behalf. You also have the option to add eGifts to your shopping cart and deliver those gifts via email to family and friends. For those people who prefer to print their card, you can download and print your own version of each tag, filling in just your purchase information.

Christmas Appeal
This year’s Christmas Appeal theme is focused on child poverty. Right now, nearly half a million Australian children are living in poverty. Without help, these children will face challenges early in their life that may prevent them from reaching their full potential.

The appeal explains how Mission Australia helps children in this situation by providing their family with access to stable accommodation and then working with parents to help them build a strong foundation for their children's development. This includes early learning support to help children prepare for a successful transition into school.

Kids toys
In the lead up to Christmas, five per cent of all sales of toys from FishPond will be donated to Mission Australia.

Visitors to the site are also encouraged to purchase toys that can be given as Christmas presents to our clients. Fishpond will store these toys ready for distribution just before Christmas day.

The cookbook…
At the very special price of $25, the latest cookbook by Ben O’Donoghue, Ben’s Barbecue, is another perfect gift for those friends and family who enjoy cooking (or who need a helping hand).

Not only does Mission Australia receive $10 for every book purchased through the website, every person who purchases BEN'S BARBECUE will go in the draw to win an Australia Day BBQ for 10 people, catered for by Ben O'Donoghue. The prize also includes two cases of wine from Penfolds and you get to keep the barbeque!

But wait, there’s more…
Charity Greeting cards also support Mission Australia by giving us 40 cents from every card sold while Charity Hampers also provide monetary payment to us on a per hamper basis.