Bright Bags Launches 2024 Christmas Project to Support Local Children in Need – TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Bright Bags, a local Queensland charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children across the Moreton Bay region, has announced its annual Christmas Project for 2024. This year, the organisation is calling on the community to help fill 1,443 Christmas bags for children in foster care or facing difficult circumstances. The initiative aims to bring holiday cheer to those in need by ensuring each child receives a personalised gift, tailored to their “Christmas wish.”

• ONLY 45 BAGS LEFT TO SPONSOR!
• DEADLINE TO SPONSOR: Tuesday, 15 October.
• Pick Up Your Bag Day: Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Location to be advised).
• Drop Off The Bag Day: Saturday, November 16, 2024 (Location to be advised).
• See sponsor contact details below.

Kerri Raedel, the founder of Bright Bags and President of Raedel Support Group Inc., shared the inspiration behind the project.

“I started this journey because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children who need extra love and care,” Raedel said in a video interview with JtA NEWS. “Bright Bags was born from the idea that every child, no matter their circumstances, deserves to feel special—especially at Christmas.”

The Call for Community Support

Bright Bags is asking individuals, families, and local businesses to sponsor a Christmas bag for a child. The cost to sponsor ranges from $30 to $50, and each sponsor will receive the first name of the child and their Christmas wish, making the gift-giving experience deeply personal.

Raedel explained: “We work closely with the children to find out what they truly want for Christmas.

“It’s not just about providing a generic gift; it’s about making their Christmas wish come true.”

Each sponsored child will receive a festive 50cm x 50cm Christmas bag, complete with a personalised tag, presents, and a Christmas-themed soft toy.

Raedel emphasises the urgency of the situation: “We are in a critical stage – If we don’t meet our goal by the 15th of October, there’s a real chance some children may miss out on experiencing the joy of Christmas.”

A Growing Initiative

Bright Bags has grown rapidly since its founding two years ago.

“We’ve been operating for two years now, and we just celebrated our second birthday,” Raedel explained. “It’s been an amazing journey.

“Our goal is always to keep things local—helping children right here in the Moreton Bay region.”

The charity is unique in its local focus, and Raedel credits the support of the community for its success.

“We have a team of 10 volunteers, but our extended team includes hundreds of community members who contribute by sponsoring, donating, or simply spreading the word,” Raedel said. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”

Raedel encourages anyone who can help to reach out: “Even sponsoring one child can make a huge difference.

“It’s not just about giving a gift—it’s about showing these children that they are cared for and loved by their community.”

For more information or to sponsor a child, contact Kerri Raedel at 0432197701 or via email at raedelsg@gmail.com. This holiday season, Bright Bags is working to ensure that every child in Moreton Bay has the best Christmas possible—one filled with love, brightness, and the magic of a community that cares.