Media Release

Community groups celebrate his passing

Community groups throughout the nation are celebrating more than the onset of the silly season this year, with the news that Kris Kringle is dead in Australian businesses.

Community group support organisation Our Community has declared the passing of the outmoded yearly ritual of exchanging unwanted gifts of oil burners, gilded photo frames and gaudy neckties in favour of a more meaningful Christmas contribution.

Workplaces throughout Australia are expected to answer the call to abolish Kris Kringle and Secret Santa activities, encouraging employees to instead donate the money they would have spent on unwanted gifts to a needy local community group.

"Kris Kringle has been a staple of most workplaces for many years, and has been a great way to bring people together for end-of-year festivities, but these days people are looking for a more meaningful way to celebrate the close of another year," said Our Community CEO Dr Rhonda Galbally AO.

"By being a bit more creative, you can still have the fun that comes along with Kris Kringle without the wanton waste."

Around $16.3 million is wasted by workplaces through Kris Kringle activities each year - money that could instead be used to do all of:

• Restoring healthy eyes for more than 200,000 people in the developing world;
• Training 60,000 farmers on environmentally sound and sustainable methods;
• Sponsoring more than 2000 drought stricken cows (and their farmers);
• Supporting 5500 disadvantaged Aussie kids with textbooks, uniforms and school equipment;
• Saving 70,000 retired farm animals from the knackery, AND
• Supporting 1400 homeless Australians.

Our Community has launched a list of '10 Ways to Kick the Kringle' in an attempt to show that there is life after Kris Kringle. "Many businesses and employees have become uncomfortable with this yearly ritual but few have dared abolishing the practice for fear of being considered a modern-day Scrooge," said Rhonda Galbally. "This list proves that there are many other options available to workplaces and workers who want to make Christmas a time of giving as well as receiving."

The list (see www.ourcommunity.com.au/files/giving/KickTheKringle.pdf) has been launched to coincide with Australian Giving Week 2007, which is being celebrated across the nation from December 3 to 9. This annual event, which is coordinated by Our Community with the support of Westpac, is designed to encourage and inspire the spirit of giving to the community.

A website has been set up at www.givingweek.com.au to help guide individuals, businesses, local leaders and community groups who want to get involved in Giving Week. The site provides information on how people and businesses can draw up a giving plan, donate time or money to a community group, take part in the celebrity Giving Auction, buy a Christmas card or Christmas tree that supports the community, and give all manner of products including computers, mobile phones, clothes, furniture, bikes, blankets and more.

Rhonda Galbally: (03) 9320 6809 | 0419 399 655 | rhondag@ourcommunity.com.au | www.ourcommunity.com.au