Grab your ticket in Enriching Lives Sponsor a Student Christmas Raffle!
Grab your ticket in Enriching Lives Sponsor a Student Christmas Raffle!
This holiday season, you can give the gift that keeps on giving – the power to change a life. The Enriching Lives Foundation is calling on the Gold Coast community to join their mission of ensuring every child gets the education they deserve. With its Sponsor a Student program and the festive Sponsor a Student Christmas Raffle, there’s never been a better (or more festive!) way to make an impact.
Enriching Lives has a simple yet profound mission – to ensure no student is left behind due to financial hardship. Working with local schools, the foundation identifies children struggling to afford basic educational necessities like supplies, uniforms and even lunch. For many of these students, exclusion from school activities and lack of resources can limit their potential. Your support can make sure no child feels excluded or left out of opportunities that many of us take for granted.
Founder Renee Brescianini sees a community-minded and inclusive approach will change families’ lives. “We want our donors to see a direct impact of funds in local communities.”
The Sponsor a Student program invites donors to support a child’s educational journey directly, covering essential costs to opportunities these students may not have thought possible. It’s not just about funding education – it’s about sparking dreams and opening doors to the future.
This Christmas, Enriching Lives is adding a festive twist to their fundraising efforts with the Sponsor a Student Christmas Raffle.
For just $10 per ticket, participants not only enter to win one of three fabulous prizes but also provide direct support to students in need. Each ticket sold makes a tangible impact – for example, one $10 ticket can buy a hungry child lunch at school, ensuring they have the energy to learn and thrive.
The prizes for this year’s raffle are sure to bring joy to your whole family this silly season. The first prize is a giant Christmas hamper valued at $700 that includes holiday essentials like wine glasses and tumblers, beach towels and games, holiday treats and much more to keep celebrations going all summer long. The second prize is a beautiful picnic hamper worth $200, where you can choose between two options: one featuring wine and wine glasses, or another with wine glasses and a marble cheese board set.The final prize is a classic triple-smoked Christmas ham decked out in a stylish ham bag, valued at $60, which is bound to be the centerpiece of your Christmas Day lunch.
With only 1,000 tickets available, the odds of winning are high – but the real reward is knowing your purchase helps a child in your community.
Every dollar raised through the raffle supports Enriching Lives’ efforts to provide Gold Coast students with a brighter future. By sponsoring a student or buying a raffle ticket, you’re making a direct impact on the lives of local children.
To learn more about the Sponsor a Student program or purchase raffle tickets, visit Enriching Lives or head straight to the raffle page.
Where: Enriching Lives is based on the Gold Coast. Purchase your raffle tickets here.
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY ENRICHING LIVES FOUNDATION
Christmas is the season of giving, and what better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by giving back to those in need? Whether you’re looking to donate, volunteer or simply make someone’s season a little brighter, the Gold Coast has a sleigh full of opportunities to share kindness. There’s an abundance of charities to support, and we’ve wrapped up some of the best ways to give the ultimate gift this festive season.
Serve Our People (SOP)
Serve Our People’s mission is to deliver joy and necessities to vulnerable families. This holiday season, you can play Santa by helping with their meal deliveries, care packages or holiday hampers. Whether you lend a hand or fund a gift, your generosity will help SOP spread a little extra sparkle.
Where: 2582-2584 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Rosies
Rosies is all about bringing connection and companionship to those who need it most. Whether it’s sharing a hot drink, a friendly chat or a warm smile with people experiencing homelessness, your time or donations can help make someone’s Christmas a little less lonely. Volunteer for one of their outreach programs or make a financial contribution to keep the warmth flowing.
Where: Various locations both north and south Gold Coast
OzHarvest
Food waste? Not on OzHarvest’s watch! This amazing charity rescues surplus food and delivers it to those in need. You can volunteer to help redistribute rescued goodies or donate to keep its yellow vans on the move. This is a great way to make sure no plate – or heart – is empty this Christmas.
Where: 6/28 Activity Crescent, Molendinar
Havafeed
Wish you could share Christmas lunch with more in the community? Havafeed makes it happen for families doing it tough. Every donation funds Christmas hampers filled with festive food staples, ensuring no one misses out on the joy of a holiday meal. Your generosity turns a simple meal into a cherished memory for those in need.
Where: 2439 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Set Free Care
Set Free Care offers vital services like meals, clothing and support for people experiencing homelessness. By volunteering or donating, you can help transform a tough season into a time of hope and renewal. Each act of kindness strengthens the foundation for a brighter year ahead.
Where: 21 Rawlins Street, Southport
Enriching Lives
From education to crisis support, Enriching Lives uplifts individuals and families in need. Contribute your time or donations to their programs and help them continue delivering life-changing assistance, one story at a time. Empower communities to thrive against all odds and make an impact for the future.
Where: Enriching Lives is based on the Gold Coast
Words by Lisette Drew
Okay friends, we need to talk.
There are very few sleeps until Christmas day and yes, our hearts started pounding too. Firstly because it’s legit our favourite time of the year and secondly coz crap, we need to get our rears into gear and sort presents stat.
If you’re like us and running way behind in this department (every.darn.year), here’s a roundup of inspo to help you get a wriggle on.
Being the proud Gold Coasters that we are, each of our suggestions is based in our ‘hood, coz #supportlocal will forever be our favourite hashtag (and we do love a good hashtag, in case you hadn’t noticed).
Here we go….
Spirits and Beer
Get in the spirit this Christmas – quite literally! Who doesn’t love a tipple so a pressie from one of these local booze-bosses, you’ll be the golden child/friend/niece/nephew/co-worker…you get the gist.
If you’re searching for an extra special gin, look no further than the locally distilled Ink Gin’s limited-edition Ink Art Gin. This year the limited release of 2000 bottles feature Sydney-based artist Karina Jambrak. Now in its third year, Ink Art Gin has become a true collector’s item, making it the perfect gift for art lovers and gin aficionados alike this Christmas.
Turning to the central power players, Granddad Jack’s in Miami will sort you out with a selection of extra special Christmas gift packs. Or hit up a rising fave which has been attracting attention for all the right reasons, Burleigh’s Familiar Spirits. We highly recommend their limited-edition Pudding Gin (you’re welcome).
For the beer enthusiasts, you just can’t beat Burleigh Brewing Co. (the Burleigh Twisted Palm Tropical Pale Ale is the shiz) or Lost Palms. Black Hops (and Black Hops II in Biggera Waters) never disappoint, nor does their Foreverland Grapefruit XPA. If an authentic Belgian brew or two is on someone’s wish list, it’s all about Ashmore’s Madlocke Beer Brewing Company.
Clothing
Like booze, we all love threads so when in doubt, look to these local legends!
PJ’s are a go-to for a well-received Chrissie gift and Homebodii specialises in thoughtfully created, elegant sleepwear which, bonus, can be personalised.
Shop epic unique gifts and slow fashion at Sunshine & the People in Palm Beach or head for Rhythm in Burleigh for the coastal surfy vibing missus or mister.
The lads at Alfred’s Apartment are providing our local men with an ever-growing range of curated fashion and accessories. And, on a totally unrelated note, you NEED to drop in and check out their coffee slushies stat. #thankuslater.
Take it from us, an oversized T from Sabbi is on every GC girl’s wish list!
For the ultimate #supportlocal nod, you cannot go past The Undercurrent. Stocking men’s and women’s unique, high quality tees, singlets and caps designed exclusively by Gold Coast artists who share a passion for our city’s culture, it’s the perfect stocking filler.
Homewares
We all love homewares (verified fact) and Kira and Kira in Miami stock the highest quality, timeless homewares, décor, artwork, and furniture.
For linen lovers (AKA e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e), I Love Linen has a long list of goodies for the bedroom, the kitchen, and beyond.
For the greenery enthusiast, pop into Greenfolk Botany Shop in Burleigh for plants, cacti, succulents, pots, home and garden wares.
Now these guys aren’t strictly Gold Coaster’s (hailing from just over the border) but we reckon Clubbies Prints Gold Coast surf series are so spesh they need to be included #soznotsoz.
Other Gifts
Annabel Trends is your go to for funky giftware and gorgeous home accessories! Every Gold Coaster appreciates a lush, premium quality beach or bath towel, just like those at Mayde Towels and no-one does environmentally-friendly natural skincare like Sabbia Co.
Just in time for Christmas Mermaid Beach-based STYLD. has dropped their newest collection – Baby, Lets Go Outside, which is a tribute to the Australian Summer. Seamlessly blending the boundaries between indoor and alfresco, STYLD. features designs that are as playful as they are elegant.
Uggs are the quintessential Aussie must-have and the genuine, original version are crafted right here on the GC at Ugg Australian Made. Our tip: personalise your Ugg for a truly unforgettable gift!
Small-batch, locally crafted jewellery from YCL Jewels is a great stocking filler, as is luxury hand-made artisan chocolate from Little Cocoa, who collaborate with esteemed local distilleries, artisans, and farmers to create bespoke chocolate experiences that reflect the essence of the Gold Coast.
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, settle petal because The Village Markets pop-up events always deliver amazing, well, everything.
And, last but not least, if you’ve yet to discover The Kindred Trader in Burleigh, now is your perfect opportunity. Housing an abundance of Australian and international brands their goodies aim to bring light, colour and joy to your home and life. Be warned, you may *accidentally* leave with a few goodies for yourself as well as your loved one!
HAPPY SHOPPING!
Words by Bianca Trathen.
