Sydney Kings team up with Salvos for Christmas
Sydney Kings team up with Salvos for Christmas
7 December 2022
The Salvation Army’s partnership with the Sydney Kings NBL team will benefit many people experiencing hardship.
The Salvation Army is looking to leave no one in need this Christmas through a new partnership with the National Basketball League’s Sydney Kings, which will raise much-needed funds to support Aussies doing it tough this Christmas.
Christmas Night this year will see a specially organised game between the Sydney Kings and Melbourne United at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, with contributions from ticket sales being donated to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal.
“Christmas is many things to many people, but one theme is consistent, it’s a time of giving and caring for others,” said Sydney Kings owner Paul Smith. “We hope that the initiative of a game of hoops on Christmas Night can be the push that sets in motion a great outcome for The Salvation Army and their efforts to support the disadvantaged in our community.”
Major David Collinson, The Salvation Army’s NSW Public Relations Secretary, said: “Christmas is a wonderful time of year for many Australians, but unfortunately, this is not the case for an increasing number of people presenting to the Salvos for help.
“We are seeing people that experience Christmas as the most stressful, lonely and financially burdensome time of the year.
“We expect this Christmas will be one of the busiest we have ever seen, as the impact of the rising cost of living hits everyday Australians and the most vulnerable even harder. This is why we are grateful for the partnership with the Sydney Kings, as it will help the Salvos support Aussies in need around the country.”
Shieldy having some fun with the Kings at their Auburn training venue.
Research conducted by The Salvation Army last Christmas found that 83 per cent of those presenting to the Salvos were struggling to afford Christmas presents for their children, more than half (53 per cent) could not afford a meal on Christmas Day, and over a third (36 per cent) experienced feeling lonely and isolated at Christmas.
The Salvation Army expects this Christmas to bring an unprecedented need for support.
“After what has been a massive few years of COVID, natural disasters and financial impacts, it is heartbreaking to see too many Australians continue to experience need and hardship at unprecedented levels,” David said. “But there is hope. Hope that as a communities come together and stand side by side; we can do our part to ensure no one is left in need and that everyone experiences the joy and hope of Christmas this year.”
In a typical Christmas season, The Salvation Army:
- Distributes more than 64,000 hampers and vouchers to those struggling to make ends meet at Christmas time.
- Gives out hundreds of thousands of gifts and toys to families in need to ensure that no child has to go without a present under the tree on Christmas Day.
- Provides more than 130,000 meals and 66,000 beds for those in need of accommodation during the festive season.
“This year, The Salvation Army will support hundreds of thousands of Australians in need, and we cannot do it alone,” David said. “This is why The Salvation Army is excited and grateful about partnering with the Sydney Kings on the Christmas Night game.
“We know the power that lies in coming together as a community, to join in shared experiences that create a real sense of hope and joy in Christmas that would have otherwise been lacking in the lives of many Australians.”
For more information go to: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/christmas/get-involved-this-christmas/the-salvation-army-partners-with-the-sydney-kings-to-create-a-brighter-christmas/
Tickets for the Sydney Kings versus Melbourne United Christmas game, which starts at 6.15pm at Qudos Bank Arena, can be purchased at www.sydneykings.com
The Sydney Kings NBL team with Salvos (with Red Shield t-shirts) including Noah Collinson, Major Kylie Collinson (Corp Officer Paramatta), Major David Collinson (Publc Relations Secretary) and Elizabeta Chessum (The Salvation Army Corporate Partnerships) at the Kings’ training venue at Auburn.
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