Gifts not under the tree

By the time you read this AIDS Awareness Week will have wound up and the Red Ribbons packed away for another year.  Before we know it, Christmas will be upon us and it’s time to start thinking about Christmas presents.

Your gift can help an individual, a group, your community or the world. Some of the more novel things you could do, rather than just slide into the whole consumerism vortex, include buying socially responsible presents such as those on offer at World Vision’s giving centre.

Some interesting options from this site include emergency food, clean water, assisting sexually exploited girls and women, goats and life saving medicines. Nowadays to give a gift you need not even set foot into a store nor spend a dollar.

Other ideas that share the love may include homemade gift vouchers. Who wouldn’t love a voucher for a home cooked meal, or a less abled person may appreciate an afternoon with you both creating a garden.

Donating your time to a worthy local organisation will benefit you and your community. Two local charities will still be operational during the Christmas period. The Lismore based ‘Five Loaves Mobile Soup Kitchen’ feeds people over the festive season. If would like to help out or donate food or furniture phone Darcy on 02 6622 0318. Lismore Soup Kitchen will also be open and they are located at the Winsome Hotel, Bridge St, North Lismore. If you’d like to contribute contact them on 02 6624 6080.

And before the bedlam that is Christmas and New Year, Tropical Fruits is celebrating its birthday with a BBQ from 2pm Saturday, December 4 at the Fruit Bowl. Bring a plate to share and catch up with all your fruity friends. Details on 02 6622 6440.

If you’re living with HIV, why not check out Treatments by the Sea # 9 on Saturday,  December 4 11am-4pm in a local beach village. Details from ACON on 02 6622 1555.

info: For information about Northern Rivers groups, services, organisations or community events, contact Sioux at ACON on 6622 1555 or [email protected].

Sioux Harrison is Administration and Volunteer Officer for ACON Northern Rivers.