The Moderator of the New South Wales Synod of the Uniting Church, Mrs Margaret Reeson, and the Federal Minister for Community Services, the Hon. Larry Anthony, launched the 9^th annual Families for Families Christmas Gift Appeal in Canberra, yesterday, Wednesday, November 1.

The launch, also including the Canberra Raiders dressed as the Three Wise Men and riding camels, took place at the Target Store, Bunda Street, Canberra City.

It was one of 276 simultaneous launches occurring at Target and Fosseys stores throughout the nation at lunchtime. A host of local identities helped to decorate Gift Giving Trees and place the first Christmas presents.

At Westfield in Liverpool, Marconi Stallions players Vlado Zoric and Brendan Renaud, West Sydney Razorbacks and children from Liverpool Public School helped launch the appeal.

For the following seven weeks, Australians will be giving presents to people they don’t even know.

It’s all about sharing the spirit of Christmas.

Target/Fosseys conduct the appeal in partnership with UnitingCare, the community services arm of the Uniting Church. People are invited to place gifts beneath the trees at the front of every Target and Fosseys store across Australia. Local UnitingCare agencies and Uniting Church members will distribute the gifts to families in need.

"In the Year 2000, we’re aiming for well over 100,000 gifts to be donated," said David Hall, national coordinator of the church’s Christmas gift appeal.

"This campaign has a strong local community emphasis," said Mr Hall. "Gifts are given from locals to locals. After having to turn people away last year when gift giving was down, we are hoping to raise over 100,000 smiles this year by sharing out that many gifts on Christmas morning."

Brendan Renaud said Marconi was pleased to be able to work with the Uniting Church and Target to lend a hand to needy people in the local community.