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A new local option to donate gifts to those in need this Christmas

One Another a global community kindness platform created by Balgowlah-based mum Lisa Hollinshead (pictured front), has teamed up with Manly Observer (Editor Kim Smee pictured back) and Project Kindness to partner with local businesses to ensure that members of our local community who need support don’t go without this Christmas. 

Residents are invited to drop off gift donations at selected local venues/ business partner locations across the region including Pottery Cafe,  Studio Pilates Balgowlah, Johnny’s Coffee,  Market Lane Cafe in Manly, Beaches Lash Co.

As an added incentive for members, beyond the intrinsic satisfaction of paying it forward,  two lucky winners will win a $150 gift card each, which has been donated by Best Restaurants of Australia. All posts on the platform, until 31st December, will be reviewed. The winner will be selected as the most community-minded, heartwarming post by three judges. 

Members can search via One Another’s FREE app for specific gift donation requests from members of the local community and drop off their contribution at an elected partner venue’s Community Christmas tree. Alternatively, you can purchase a gift and mark on the label who it is appropriate for, for example “a 4 year old fan of cars” or “a single mum in need of self care” or even “a hamper to feed a family of four on xmas day” – the options are endless.

In addition to gift donations, people can ‘pay it forward’ and pre-purchase an item from each partner’s store or cafe and pop the details on a “Donation Decoration” to hang on the dedicated tree. Whether a cookie, a coffee, or an hour pilates session, it’s up to you to choose what you’d like to contribute to ‘pay it forward; to the wider community.

Founder Lisa Hollinshead said: “Unprecedented times of isolation recently have highlighted how it feels to be vulnerable or helpless, which has opened up a collective consciousness that this is what everyday life is like for some people even at the best of times.  Since launching One Another Community last November, I have been in awe of the outpouring of kindness across our Sydney community. Members have been offering their time and services to the community in kindness to help support those who need it most.

“It was a natural progression of the platform to facilitate gift donations during the festive period, and again we’ve been inundated with local businesses who want to get involved and support our Christmas Gift Guide initiative.”

The One Another Christmas gift tree at Pottery Cafe
STRONGER TOGETHER: One Another CEO Lisa Hollinshead with some nitwit in the background (me).

Bobbi, founder of The Pottery Cafe on the Beaches is among the first to put out the tree. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with One Another Community to help give back. Community is at the core of everything we do at The Pottery Cafe and we jumped at the chance to be able to support the Christmas Gift Drive and help put a smile on as many faces as possible this Christmas, which makes our hearts smile too.”

Members can view a list of community partners via the website, and also via One Another’s social media channels. Real-time requests and offers will also appear on the app, which can be downloaded for free from all app stores.

Whilst born out of a COVID-19 age, One Another has been created to provide continued support within our communities, whenever they need it. Loneliness is an existing epidemic across Australia with 1 in 2 Australians admitting to feeling alone, pre-COVID-19. A sobering statistic, which isn’t likely to go away any time soon.

One Another Community’s app is available in all app stores and encourages community spirit by matching members of communities that need help, with those who want to offer support both digitally and at a grassroots level.

To find out more about One Another and to register simply head to the website.

Partners for Christmas Kindness Campaign:

Best Restaurants of Australia – Best Restaurants of Australia | Restaurants Guide Australia

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Manly Observer is an experiment in providing non-sensationalist hyperlocal news on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. We cover the big news across the LGA, but with a hyper focus on the Manly electorate encompassing Balgowlah, Seaforth, Freshwater, Brookvale and Curl Curl up to Dee Why. It is run by those living in the community for the benefit of an informed community. We care about an informed and connected community. That’s it. Simple. Thank you for your support in keeping quality local news alive!

Kim Smee, Editor


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