Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal has received a total of $10.3 million worth of donations in 2024, contributing to its biggest Appeal in its 37-year run.
The 2024 Appeal ran until Christmas Eve and saw a total of 365,000 gifts collected in Kmart stores and distributed to families in need via The Salvation Army in both Australia and New Zealand.
These Appeal results are up 31 per cent on 2023, and meant that Kmart and The Salvation Army were able to distribute donations to over 200,000 families facing financial hardship.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who so kindly donated to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal this year,” Kmart and Target CEO John Gualtieri said.
“This level of impact could not have been achieved without the tireless work and partnership of our incredible near 50,000 strong team and their local Salvation Army representatives.
“I also want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those businesses that have continued to throw their support behind this Appeal, which contributed to making this one such a success.”
Major Warren Elliott from The Salvation Army also extended his gratitude, thanking both Kmart and the Australian public.
“Through their support, the Salvos were able to distribute gifts to Aussies who really needed it, providing a moment of hope and joy to individuals and families struggling during the festive season."
Alongside gift donations, the Appeal also garnered $1.45 million in financial contribution in 2024, up by 168 per cent on the year before.