Locals gift festive cheer with hampers
The Greenbank community has rallied behind a Christmas drive to help youths and families enjoy a brighter Christmas this year.
Property developer AVID Property Group (AVID) and youth homelessness charity the Property Industry Foundation, have thrown their combined support behind the BABI Youth & Family Service (BABI) this holiday season, through a food and essentials hamper drive for Queensland families in need.
Throughout December, Christmas giving trees were set up at AVID Queensland offices and communities – Harmony in Palmview, Covella in Greenbank and Amara in Ormeau – to encourage residents, locals and staff to donate Christmas essentials.
AVID General Manager Queensland Anthony Demiris said overall the drive collected more than 1,000 food items and other essentials to be distributed just in time for Christmas.
‘This year’s Christmas drive provided a great opportunity for residents to give back to an important organisation and show their support for families struggling this Christmas,’ Mr Demiris says.
‘It was heartwarming to see our communities come together for this fantastic initiative and support the work both BABI and the Property Industry Foundation do for Queensland youth.
‘Each year, more community members join in the spirit of giving during the festive season, and we are extremely appreciative of every donation that we can gift to these outstanding charities.’
Mr Demiris says AVID has long been a supporter of the Property Industry Foundation and signed on as an official partner in 2022, joining other industry leaders to solidify its ongoing commitment to its work and help improve the lives of Australia’s homeless youth.
Queensland State Manager of the Property Industry Foundation Antoinette Rusby-Perera says the Foundation also has a longstanding relationship with BABI.
‘Since 2022, the Property Industry Foundation has donated over $50,000 in cash to BABI to fund its Housing Dignity Program, and as a result our donors have refreshed backyards and provided Christmas gifts and hampers to their tenants,’ Ms Rusby-Perera says.
‘While Christmas is a wonderful time for families, it can be a challenging time for the most vulnerable.
‘We are so pleased to be able to continue our relationship with BABI with the help of our corporate partner AVID – to help put a smile on those who would have otherwise gone without this Christmas.’
Photo at top: From left, AVID Community Development Officer Sarah Tebbutt, BABI CEO Shaun Staunton and Property Industry Foundation QLD Events & Engagement Manager Rebecca Field, with some of the hamper donations.
