Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner and Lady Mayoress, Nina Schrinner have presented more than 4,400 toys and close to $100,000 in grants to local charities.
Lord Mayor Schrinner said the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust’s Christmas Grant Round continued to be Brisbane’s most important Christmas tradition.
“For most people, Christmas is the most wonderful time of year but sadly it can be a time of stress and hardship for some people in our community,” Lord Mayor Schrinner said.
“The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Christmas Grant Round has a long history of spreading joy, festive cheer and hope for a brighter future.
“Whether it’s seeing a child’s face light up because of a new toy or giving parents the certainty of a family feast, there’s something magical about giving at this time of year.
“We exist to support Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents in their time of need and this year we’ve given more than $892,000 to local charities through more than 100 grants.”
Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, Nina Schrinner said 58 charities would benefit from this year’s Christmas Grant round, with 52 charities receiving cash grants and 32 receiving children’s toys.
“It’s heartbreaking to think there will be children waking up on Christmas Day with no presents under the tree and we’re determined to change this,” Mrs Schrinner said.
“We’re supporting local grassroots children’s charities like Jacaranda Housing, Koongoora and Inala Family Accommodation and SupportService to help take the stress out of Christmas and allow parents to focus on what’s really important.
“Emmanuel City Mission are one of the 19 charities receiving a share of $7,500 in Foodbank and Food Store vouchers, so no one has to go to sleep hungry on Christmas Day.
“We’re introducing a pilot program to help fund charities that are feeding people experiencing homelessness over the festive season.
“This is all thanks to the generosity of Brisbane residents and I’m so proud we can continue Brisbane’s most important Christmas giving tradition,” she said.
“Through our annual fundraising activities including the annual Gala Ball and The CAMILLA Fashion Event and Runway Luncheon, as well as the incredibly generous donations that we receive including the ongoing provision of tens of thousands of toys from Scott Collins of Bloomberg Inc Ltd, we’re going to be able to ease stress and brighten Christmas Day for so many families.”
The Christmas Grant presentation will include an additional donation of $50,000 to local mental health charity, This is a Conversation Starter (TIACS), as the beneficiary of the 2022 Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust’s Gala Ball.
To find out more about the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust or to make a donation, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.
