Kmart will officially launch its iconic Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal together with founding charity partner, The Salvation Army, both in store and online, from Monday 7th November 2022.
This year, marks a historic milestone of reaching 35 years of supporting those doing it tough in communities across Australia.
The need for the Appeal is greater than ever-before, as many Australians face into cost-of-living
pressures such as increased electricity and food prices and rising interest rates seeing the financial
strain on many individuals and families rapidly increasing.
Long standing charity partner, The Salvation Army, is anticipating this Christmas to be one of the busiest they have ever seen. Research conducted by The Salvation Army last Christmas found that a staggering 83% of those surveyed and presenting to the Salvos were struggling to afford Christmas presents for their children and more than half (56%) could not afford a meal on Christmas Day.
Kmart’s Chief Executive Officer, John Gualtieri said, “At Kmart we aim to make everyday living brighter
for our community and I am honoured that over the last 35 years, our customers, the Kmart team,
alongside our charity partner The Salvation Army, have supported hundreds of thousands of Aussies
during a time most vulnerable. There is still so much more work to do, especially this year, and, if you
can, we encourage you to give a gift, regardless of size or value – together we can make a world of
difference in the communities we live and work in.”
The Salvation Army’s Coordinator of Community Services, Kris Halliday, explained that “Every
Christmas, The Salvation Army sees the acute needs being faced by Australians doing it tough. Our
hope at Christmas is for no one to have to do it alone. Through our incredible 35-year partnership
with the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, The Salvos have been able to provide millions of gifts to
families and individuals in need at Christmas. Through a small act of kindness, like contributing a gift
to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, you can bring the true meaning of hope and joy to someone in
need this Christmas.”
“The Salvos are very grateful to Kmart and the generosity of the Australian public, who for 35 years
have helped make the Christmas’ of those in need extra special, by giving to others and spreading
Christmas cheer. We again ask the public to partner with The Salvos and help give hope to those in
need this Christmas, by giving a gift to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.”
Types of Gifts
There are so many ways to get involved in the 2022 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, include:
Contributing a new and unwrapped practical gift under any Wishing Tree at any Kmart store. Choose a practical gift that will be useful beyond Christmas time and leave it under Wishing Tree in any Kmart store.
Suggested gifts include:
▪ Books
▪ School supplies
▪ Headphones
▪ Everyday essentials for all ages such as socks, bed linen and bath towels
▪ Gift card