Where to Donate, Give Back or Volunteer in Canberra This Christmas (2025 Guide)
Christmas is a magical time of year, but it can also be incredibly tough for families doing it hard. As mums, we know the joy of giving runs deep, especially during the festive season. If you’re feeling called to give back this year, there are so many beautiful ways to support families, children, and community members right here in Canberra.
Whether you want to donate gifts, volunteer your time, support a Christmas appeal, or simply sprinkle some kindness, here’s your guide to making a meaningful difference this December.
If you’re a mum with baby items your little ones have outgrown (or if you have a cupboard of “why did I buy three prams?”), Roundabout Canberra is one of the BEST places to donate.
They accept:
🍼 Baby essentials
👶 Prams & car seats (must meet safety guidelines)
🧸 Toys & books
🧥 Clothing (sizes 0000 to 16)
📍 Mitchell & Tuggeranong
Your donations are restored, sorted, and gifted to families referred by social workers, midwives, and other community services.
Perfect for: decluttering with purpose.
2. Communities @ Work - Christmas Appeal
Communities At Work runs one of Canberra’s biggest annual Christmas appeals, supporting local families who are struggling with the cost of living, housing insecurity, and food stress.
They accept:
🎁 New toys
🎄 Gift cards
🍝 Non-perishable food items
🛍️ Festive treats
📍 Drop-off: Tuggeranong & Gungahlin Community Centres
Perfect for: gifting to local children, teens, and families in need.
Website: https://www.commsatwork.org/get-involved/christmas/
2. Salvation Army Wishing Tree Appeal
One of Australia’s longest-running Christmas charity drives, the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is an easy and beautiful way to give back, especially for busy families doing their Christmas shopping.
You can donate:
🎁 New, unwrapped gifts
🎄 Christmas items
🧸 Toys for children
🧥 Essential items for teens and adults
💳 Gift cards (hugely appreciated!)
How it works:
Look for the Wishing Tree station inside any Kmart store. Simply place your donated item under the tree, no wrapping needed. Kmart then partners with local charities (including the Salvation Army) to distribute your gift to families in need across Canberra and the region.
Why mums love it:
It’s affordable, accessible, and something your kids can help choose each year. A simple way to teach generosity during the Christmas season.
4. Canberra Hospital Foundation - Givemas
GIVEMAS is a wonderful way to share comfort and cheer with patients and families who find themselves spending Christmas in hospital, for people who may have been in hospital for a long time, who can’t be with their loved ones, or who don’t have family nearby.
How you can help:
Donate new, unwrapped gifts for people of all ages inlcuding, children, teens, adults and elderly patients.
Gift ideas from CHF’s wishlists include: puzzles; colouring-in and activity books; stationery; hand creams and toiletries; chocolates or shortbread; and other simple, practical items that bring comfort.
How to participate:
Drop off gifts at the Givemas Station at Canberra Hospital, located in the new main foyer, next to reception.
Donations can typically be dropped off on weekdays between 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. It’s best to call ahead on (02) 5124 3542 to arrange a drop-off time or ask for assistance.
If you’re part of a group, workplace, or community organisation, you could also consider the “Adopt-a-Ward” option, where your group collects gifts for a specific hospital ward. CHF matches you to a ward and coordinates delivery.
GIVEMAS is a lovely, tangible way to brighten Christmas for patients and families in hospital who might otherwise miss out, especially children, or people facing illness or hardship during the festive season.
6. Helping ACT Giving Tree
Each November, HelpingACT runs its “Giving Tree, Food Packing & Toy Wrapping” campaign to support families, refugees, asylum seekers, and children in need across Canberra and the ACT.
How you can help:
You can make a financial donation (all donations $2 and above are tax-deductible) to help HelpingACT purchase items at the best possible price.
Alternatively, you can donate food items and/or toys for children under 10.
Important details (2025):
Donations (food or toys) must be pre-arranged by email, reach out to contact@helpingact.org.
The deadline for donated goods (food or toys) is before 1 December 2025.
HelpingACT uses these contributions to assemble and distribute Christmas hampers, toys and gift packs to low-income families, homeless people, refugees and children, aiming to help make Christmas a little brighter for those doing it tough.
7. Donate Through Your Local School or Daycare
Many Canberra early learning centres and schools run Christmas drives in partnership with charities.
This can include:
🎁 Toy drives
🥫 Food collections
🎄 Gift card giving trees
Check with your child’s school, preschool or childcare centre, donating here is simple, impactful, and stays local.
8. Acts of Kindness That Cost $0
Giving back doesn't have to cost a thing. If money is tight but your heart is full, there are still simple ways to spread Christmas joy:
✨ Write a heartfelt card to a neighbour
✨ Bake something small and drop it to a friend
✨ Offer baby items to a mum who needs them
✨ Visit an elderly neighbour for a chat
✨ Give your time, not money
Kindness counts just as much as donations.
Why Giving Back Matters (Especially as Mums)
Motherhood has a way of softening our hearts and strengthening our compassion. We know the magic of Christmas… and we also know the stress that can sit quietly behind it.
Giving back, even in small ways, helps lift local families, supports mums doing it tough, and keeps the spirit of community alive in Canberra.
It’s not about how much you give.
It’s about showing up, offering support, and reminding another family that they’re not alone.
Whether you donate a toy, drop off a hamper, declutter for a good cause, or perform a tiny act of kindness, your generosity genuinely makes a difference.
If you donate or volunteer this year, feel free to tag us @cbrmamas, we’d love to share and inspire more giving in our community.
Here’s to a Christmas filled with kindness, connection, and magic.
