Give toys or books
Toy & Book Appeal
The Smith Family’s Toy and Book Appeal is an absolute highlight on our annual event calendar. Together, we can help bring joy to Australian children at Christmas. Children who may otherwise miss out on opening a gift, simply because their families can’t afford it.
During this pandemic, the children and families we support remain at the heart of everything we do. That’s why now, more than ever before, it’s so important to continue our tradition of giving, which started at our inception almost 100 years ago. With your help, we are aiming to support more than 32,000 Australian children living in disadvantage this Christmas.

This year, in light of the ongoing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic around the country, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with the Toy and Book Appeal in its usual format. While this wasn’t an easy decision, we made it, first and foremost, to ensure the safety of our students and families, team members and volunteers.
The important news is that we are absolutely committed to ensuring that the children we support still receive a gift this Christmas. A digital gift voucher will be provided to every child who would ordinarily receive a gift pack so that our families can ensure their children can participate in the joys of Christmas.
By getting involved in this year’s Toy and Book Appeal, you’ll have the opportunity to share something precious with children and families who are doing it tough. You see, supporting education involves more than just what happens in the classroom – it’s also about providing positive experiences, both in the home and in the wider community, to help children feel included.
There are a variety of ways you can get involved in the lead up to Christmas this year. Keep reading below to learn more.
There are three ways you can get involved
Make a donation
With so many children to help, we often need to purchase additional gifts, particularly for age categories that are often overlooked.
Making a personal donation in lieu of a gift will not only bring joy to a family who would otherwise go without over Christmas, but it will help provide access to learning support and mentoring for Australian children living in disadvantage.
Purchase a gift from our online Charity Gift Catalogue
Christmas gifts that could transform a child’s life.
Share the joy of giving with your friends and loved ones. Choose a meaningful gift that brings twice the joy. Put a smile on a young face on Christmas morning – and help an Australian child experiencing disadvantage build a better future for themselves.
Fundraise for the Toy and Book Appeal
Our Toy and Book Appeal will look a little different this year. We will not proceed with our usual activities due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we’ll provide a digital gift voucher to every child who would ordinarily receive a gift pack, so they can still delight in the joys of Christmas.
In this way, we are aiming to support more than 30,000 Australian children living in disadvantage this year – but we need your help to make that happen! So whether it be on your own, with family, friends or colleagues, you can make a difference by fundraising for The Smith Family in the lead up to Christmas.
After all, it’s only Christmas when we share it!
From Monday, 25th October, you can register at Events & Fundraising.
If you have any questions please contact our Toy and Book Team.
Volunteer and give the gift of time

Volunteer and give the gift of time
Given the changing environments and restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with our Toy and Book Appeal in its usual format this year.
However, our annual Christmas event always brings so much happiness and relief to many of the children and families we support – and we’re determined not to let them down. That’s why this year, we will provide a digital gift voucher to every child who would ordinarily receive a gift pack. That way, our families can ensure their children can still participate in the joys of Christmas.
To confirm, our usual sorting and packing activities, gift collections and nationwide Delivery Day will not proceed. Unfortunately, this means that Toy and Book Appeal volunteering will not be available in 2021, but on this page, you’ll find other ways to get involved this year.
Learn more about other volunteer opportunities with The Smith Family.
Thank you for your generosity. After all, it’s only Christmas when we share it.
Find out more at the Toy & Book Appeal FAQs