This Christmas, Challenge Community Services is calling on local businesses and the community to help make sure every child in foster care feels the magic of the festive season.
For many children and young people living in foster care, Christmas can be a difficult time filled with mixed emotions. While foster carers provide love, care, and stability throughout the year, the holidays can amplify feelings of loss and separation from birth families.
Through our Every Child Counts Christmas Appeal, we’re on a mission to bring joy, hope, and connection to more than 450 children and young people we support through foster care across New South Wales.
What is the Every Child Counts Christmas Appeal?
The Every Child Counts Appeal is Challenge Community Services’ first-ever Christmas Appeal, launched to support foster families and children during what can be the toughest time of year.
Running from 14 September to 14 December 2025, the appeal aims to raise $50,000 to fund meaningful Christmas gifts and grocery vouchers for foster families. These donations allow our Foster Care teams to buy personalised gifts—chosen specifically for each child’s age, interests, and personality—and provide vouchers so families can enjoy a special Christmas meal together.
“Through our Every Child Counts Appeal, we have the opportunity to ensure every child feels remembered, celebrated, and valued this Christmas,” said Julie May, Executive Director of Community Services at Challenge Community Services. “We’re calling on our community to help us bring joy and hope to over 450 children and young people this festive season.”
Why your support matters
For foster carers, the holidays can be both rewarding and challenging. Many go above and beyond to make the season magical for the children in their care, but financial strain and emotional stress can make that difficult.
Your donation—no matter the size—helps make Christmas brighter for kids who need it most. Together, we can give them the chance to experience the warmth, laughter, and excitement that every child deserves at this time of year.
How businesses can get involved
Local businesses play a crucial role in making this appeal a success. By partnering with Challenge Community Services, your organisation can show genuine community leadership and make a lasting difference in the lives of children in care.
Here’s how your business can help:
1. Make a direct donation
Give a one-off, tax-deductible contribution to the Every Child Counts Christmas Appeal. Every dollar goes directly towards gifts and grocery vouchers for foster families.
2. Become a Matched Giving Partner
Nominate a week to match all public donations made during that period, effectively doubling the community’s impact. Your business will be celebrated across our social media, website, email newsletters, and internal communications.
“Businesses play a vital role in our communities. Partnering with our Every Child Counts Appeal is a meaningful way to show that commitment. Together, we can create brighter Christmases for children in care while showcasing the power of business-community collaboration.”
How you can help
You don’t need to be a business to make a difference. Every donation—big or small—helps create special memories for a child in foster care this Christmas.
1. Donate online today
Visit donate.challengecommunity.org.au/christmas-appeal to make a donation today! All donations over $2 are tax-deductible
2. Help us spread the word
You will find social media tiles and posters on our donation page. Download these for free and share them on your social media, in your community groups and with friends and families!
Together, we can make Every Child Count
When we come together as a community, we can make sure no child feels forgotten this Christmas. Whether you’re an individual, a business owner, or a foster carer, your support helps create magical moments that children in care will remember for years to come.
Let’s make this Christmas count—because every child matters, and every act of kindness makes a difference.
