For some local families, Christmas can bring more worry than celebration. With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, the annual Christmas Cheer campaign is once again calling on the Benalla community to help make the festive season brighter for those doing it tough.
A partnership between Ray White Benalla, Tomorrow Today Foundation and the Salvation Army Benalla, Christmas Cheer brings together local businesses and individuals to provide food hampers, toys and gift vouchers to families who need extra support.
In 2025, the campaign supported 172 households, approximately 550 people, thanks to the generosity of the Benalla community.
Salvation Army Captain Ben Anderson praised the community’s response in recent years.
“The responses in 2024 and 2025 were a credit to the Benalla community. The 2025 campaign supported 172 households, representing approximately 550 individuals who benefited from hampers, toys and gift vouchers. We are hoping the community will again rise to the challenge of supporting its own this Christmas season.”
Tomorrow Today CEO, Jen Jackson said the campaign demonstrated the power of a community working together. “The Benalla Community Christmas Cheer initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together.”
This year, there’s a new way to give back while getting Christmas shopping underway.
On Saturday 14 November, Silver Saturday will launch Benalla’s Christmas shopping season, encouraging residents to shop locally while helping support Christmas Cheer. Promoted by the Benalla Business Network and Benalla Rural City Council, the initiative invites local businesses to turn a day of Christmas shopping into an opportunity to support families in need.
Ray White Benalla Director and Manager Peter Symes introduced the initiative at a recent Benalla Business Network Coffee Connections meeting. “For Silver Saturday, we’re encouraging local businesses to support Christmas Cheer in a way that suits their business. It might be a percentage of profit from the day’s trade, a special product or a business matching a customer’s donation,” Peter said. “We hope to see this day grow every year as people become familiar with the idea and get behind it even more.”
Businesses can still register to participate via www.benallabusinessnetwork.com.au.
For Peter and his team at Ray White Benalla, Christmas Cheer is about more than providing practical support.
“Christmas Cheer is our way of spreading hope, joy and kindness during the festive season. We are so
grateful to our amazing community, which has been so generous and really got behind this wonderful cause over the last few years. I know that they will rise again this Christmas to help one another.”
There are several ways the Benalla community can get involved in Christmas Cheer this year:
- Shop local: Support participating businesses on Silver Saturday, 14 November.
- Donate food and vouchers: Drop non-perishable food items and vouchers at the Salvation Army, 85 Bridge Street West, on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Phone 5762 6547 for details.
- Donate toys and gifts: Deliver vouchers, toys or gifts to Ray White Benalla, 20 Bridge Street East. Phone 5762 2266.
- Make a donation: Make a tax-deductible cash donation through Tomorrow Today online or phone 5762 1211.
Every contribution helps bring a little more joy to local families this Christmas.