Samaritans have helped countless Hunter Valley families over the past four decades, and with Christmas around the corner, the welfare agency is hoping to help a few more.
The organisation, which is celebrating 40 years of service this year, has begun its annual Christmas Appeal early this year in response to the growing demand for support from local families.
Founded in 1984 by the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Samaritans was created to provide benevolent relief to those suffering poverty or distress, such as sickness, disability, destitution, misfortune or helplessness.
Four decades later, Samaritans has grown to support the people of the Hunter, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Mid North Coast through more than 100 programs and initiatives.
"We are incredibly proud of the impact Samaritans has had on the lives of locals for the past 40 years," Samaritans president Bishop Peter Stuart said.
"We're offering support to families experiencing great trauma - we help provide safe refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence, we provide student accommodation for vulnerable teenagers, and we provide emergency relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet."
Samaritans' six emergency relief centres form the frontline of crisis support. Emergency relief coordinator Beth Hanna said in the past 15 years alone, the organisation has provided support to more than 113,000 emergency relief cases.
"This could be help with emergency food parcels, clothing, financial options and a range of other support," she said.
"These cases could be an individual or family, so the true number of people supported through our centres is far in excess of what the data shows, and we know demand for our help sharply increases at this time every year."
Bishop Stuart said the Christmas Appeal would provide local families with crisis care programs, a safe place to stay, emergency food supplies, Christmas lunch and gifts to put under their Christmas tree.
"We are constantly in awe of the willingness of our community to help others," he said.
"We are again asking anyone who is able to share their generosity to enable Samaritans to support our local community."
Money raised will also help support Samaritans programs throughout 2025. To donate to Samaritans Christmas Appeal, go to samaritans.org.au/donate.
