Supporting Families in Need:

The Family Centre has been a cornerstone of support for children, young people, and families in the Northern Rivers region since its establishment in 1988. Their mission is to empower individuals and communities to overcome challenges, build stronger relationships, and create lasting social change. From Tweed Heads to Ballina, their services reach thousands annually, offering programs that strengthen parenting skills, improve safety and wellbeing, and foster connections. 

One of their standout initiatives is the “Adopt a Family for Christmas Appeal”, which has been running for five years. This program aims to ease the burden for families facing hardship during the holiday season, ensuring they have what they need to celebrate Christmas. Over the years, the appeal has raised over $100,000, directly benefiting three to four hundred people each year.  

David Bootkin, Executive Director of The Family Centre, shared how the program has supported hundreds of families each year, easing the strain during the festive season. Jo Blanchard from The Family Centre explained that many families approach them just days before Christmas, overwhelmed with the pressure of having nothing to provide for their children. Contributions like gift cards offer immediate relief, bringing joy and hope to those in need. 

This year, Ballina RSL joined the effort by inviting members to donate their points, which were converted into gift cards for the appeal. These gift cards were placed under a giving tree and distributed by The Family Centre to families in need. 

“We couldn’t do the work we do in the community without the support of local clubs,” Jo said. She highlighted the crucial role of club grants and initiatives like Ballina RSL’s giving tree in making the appeal successful. 

“As a club, we’re always looking for ways to help local families, especially at Christmas. This initiative is something we hope to support annually.” 

See how the community came together to support the appeal in our YouTube video.