Christmas Gift Appeal

Remind them they are thought of, special and loved.

At Royal Freemasons, our unwavering commitment is to the health and wellbeing of the people in our care. We attend to their daily care needs, we listen to their stories, and we know that Christmas can be a challenging time for many of them.

Unfortunately, through different circumstances, a number of people in our care find themselves with no one in their lives to visit them, no family or long-known friends to surround them with love at Christmas time.

Our dedicated staff do an exceptional job of making sure they feel special and cared for during the festive season, but we want to go the extra mile again this year and buy beautiful, personalised gifts just for them.

Will you help us?

Vanco, one of our aged care residents, was lost for words when he was given a gift from last year’s appeal.

Elderly man in a wheelchair looks out the window, beside a bed with a patterned blanket.

Emigrating from Macedonia in the 1970s, Vanco grew further and further apart from his family, eventually losing contact with them completely.

“I’ve forgotten about my family,” says Vanco. “The last time I saw my sister was in 1980. Since coming to Australia, I have lost contact with them all.”

Moving to different states with his job, Vanco also found it hard to find a place to call home and make meaningful, long-lasting connections.

“I found new friendships at each place but no one to marry and spend my life with,” he says.

Vanco has been part of our aged care community for many years now and spends each Christmas surrounded by our caring staff and fellow residents at Mount Martha Valley, which he now calls home.

Royal Freemasons Lifestyle Coordinator, Kim, says “When we gave Vanco his gift he had tears in his eyes and said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ He was so grateful and overwhelmed, he thanked us about ten times.”

An elderly man in a wheelchair holds a book while sitting next to an elderly woman in a patterned blouse.

Watch the moments when our residents received gifts from our 2023 Christmas Gift Appeal.

In last year’s appeal more than 60 people in our care were delighted to receive a thoughtful, individualised gift. Many were moved to tears by this simple yet meaningful gesture.

Will you help us to raise $20,000 so that everyone in our care spending Christmas without loved ones can receive a special, personalised gift just for them?

Write a special message

When you donate, you are also welcome to include a special message to the residents to let them know you are thinking of them this Christmas.
Your message will be written on this beautiful card and displayed at our aged care homes.

Thank you for your generous contribution and for helping us make sure these people in our care have a joyful Christmas Day.

Gift tag featuring a green present with a red bow and pinecone. Below, a section for writing a message labeled "Merry Christmas!.

About Royal Freemasons

A white nursing home surrounded by trees and flowers.

Royal Freemasons Homes of Victoria have been providing vital support to older Victorian as they age for more than 150 years. We are trusted to understand the individual needs and care and support

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