A brand-new book will be waiting under the Christmas tree for more than 1,000 children, teenagers, and adults this festive season, thanks to a collaborative effort between AnglicareSA, Playford Library, and the local community.

The books were collected as part of a Give the Gift of Reading (GTGOR) initiative, in which the local community donated new books to a library, which passed them on to a charity to distribute to individuals and families in need.

The initiative started at the Playford Library in 2012 and, since then, multiple South Australian libraries and councils have adopted the drive, supporting various charities.

Playford Library supplies AnglicareSA with donated books to give to families experiencing hardship in the Playford community.

Most books are distributed to families through our Christmas Hamper drive, with the rest given out throughout the year to those using our programs and services, including emergency assistance, homelessness support, and foster care.

AnglicareSA Emergency Assistance Manager Astra Fleetwood said GTGOR was a simple way to help someone in the community.

“Some people might not be able to give large amounts of money or
volunteer their time, but the small contribution of donating a book can make
someone else’s day and life brighter,” Astra said.

While the initiative is now in its thirteenth year, Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said there were no plans to slow down.

“For more than a decade, our community has embraced GTGOR, whether through generous book donations or by connecting with others at handover celebrations in Playford’s libraries,” Glenn said.

The show of support for the drive was evident at the annual handover celebration at Playford Civic Library, where it was announced that 1,063 books had been generously donated to AnglicareSA by the local community.

There was also another reason to celebrate – the initiative surpassed 10,000 books donated since its inception.

Astra said it was easy to underestimate the impact that receiving a book could have on a child.

“A book allows them to escape their reality for a little while,” she said.

“When you read a book, you can be anyone – a ballerina, an astronaut, a detective.

“Books can also give a child that sense of joy for a little bit longer than a toy.

“If it’s a book you love, you can reread it and go back to whatever sense of happiness, peace, joy, or escapism you feel reading that book, which can help someone experiencing vulnerability.”

We also thank Adelaide Hills Council, which donated close to 180 books for our Christmas Hampers through its own GTGOR drive.

Want to support AnglicareSA?

While donations for this year’s Christmas Hamper drive has closed, there are still opportunities to support AnglicareSA and members of the community in need this Christmas.

We are still accepting donations for our Christmas Appeal. Your gift to AnglicareSA will bring relief to those facing hardship and ensure they don’t face these challenges alone.