Christmas is coming

Monday, 23 November 2009 06:53

Decorations are appearing all over town five weeks out from Christmas, including on the Cairns Library in Abbott St which is looking wonderful. Preparations are also underway for the various Carols by Candlelight services in centres around the region, including the big one at Fogarty Park in Cairns on Sunday 13 December at 6.30pm. Unfortunately, Christmas is going to be a difficult time for those families who have been hurt by the big rise in unemployment in this region. The Mayor's Christmas Cheer Appeal has a target of $50,000 which is used to provide hampers of food for needy families. 480 families, with 1,200 children, have already registered for assistance this year; however, the appeal is only half way to meeting its target. We know that all charities are finding it harder to raise funds this year and I will greatly appreciate any donation big or small to help families who are doing it tough at the moment. Send a cheque to any Council office, or call in to any of the Council's 9 libraries or Council offices. Some staff at Council are having payroll deductions - $1.00 a week - towards the appeal and the $52 dollars raised annually will go a huge way to purchasing a Christmas hamper for someone less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you, Council staff.