Each year, just before Christmas, Arup staff volunteer to help with The Smith Family’s Toy and Book appeal. Arup’s Community Engagement Committee fund 50 per cent of staff time to assist The Smith Family’s work.
In 2013, 12 staff from Arup in Australia helped The Smith Family bring Christmas to thousands of children by helping distribute donated toys and books to disadvantaged families. Whilst this might seem like a somewhat trivial mission, evidence shows that this simple idea helps families during what can be a time of extreme financial stress, and the flow-on effect for the children in terms of their self-esteem (feeling of ‘belonging’), educational outcomes and relationships is greater than the cost of any toy.
Some of the staff involved have kindly written about their experience this year. Perhaps 2014 will be the year that you get to experience the joy of helping others who would otherwise go without:
It’s often easy to just donate money to charities and while it’s good to know that you are contributing to something worthwhile, I felt that I wanted to do more than donate money. Volunteering for the Smith Family Appeal was a great experience as I felt that I’m helping but in a different way. It was great to see the generosity of others in various ways whether it’s donating toys or giving up their time to help pack and deliver the gifts to families in need. I found the experience very humbling.
- Romina, Sydney
At the Smith Family’s Toy and Book Appeal volunteer day I realised how lucky I was to grow up in a home where my parents could afford Christmas presents. I hadn’t considered the full impact this program has on families across the country and I am really grateful that I could help ensure Santa visited more kids on Christmas Day.
- Larissa, Sydney
I volunteered for the simple reason of giving something back to the community. It was great to see the joy that most of the kids had when we appeared at their doors with a sack of presents. It was also great to see all the volunteers wearing Santa and elf hats and spreading the Christmas cheer.
- Kai, Perth
This sort of volunteering is the embodiment of Christmas spirit. The sheer delight on people’s faces when you visit their homes to make deliveries is something that keeps on rewarding you.
- Ryan, Perth
I really enjoy participating in the Toy & Book Appeal, Christmas is about giving as well as receiving and knowing that my small part is helping to put a smile on a child’s face makes me happy, filling the sacks makes you feel a bit like you are Santa, I can see that in the other volunteers face as well when they are deciding what to put in. Everyone down there are all so lovely, we all just get in and do what needs to be done, it is very well organised by The Smith Family. I thoroughly recommend it and try to encourage everyone to have a go.
- Lyn, Adelaide
