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For stay-at-home mum Kim, who faces some health challenges, Christmas support from The Salvation Army at Unley in Adelaide brought hope, practical help and a place to belong. Living on one family wage during a cost-of-living crisis, the support made a lasting difference for her family.

For Kim’s five-year-old daughter, the highlight of Christmas was the large pink bear given to her with some other gifts through the Salvos.

“She still hugs it every day,” Kim says. “It’s like a little piece of magic for her, something I couldn’t have given her on my own.”

Even more special for Kim, who recently became a Salvos soldier (member), was being able to share what she was given with others. She gifted a small puzzle to someone she loved and shared some of her food hamper with others in need.

With a strong faith, sharing with others was something she had longed to do but couldn’t have managed on her own.

“I would have coped, but this help gave Christmas an extra level of joy,” she says. “It reminded me why giving matters, and it brought real hope and happiness for my family.”

Supporting local families in urgent need at Christmas

Kim’s story was just one of many instances where local Christmas help provided relief to struggling families last year.

Just days before Christmas, a local community case worker contacted Unley Salvos about a mother who, after experiencing an unexpected crisis, had no presents, food or money for Christmas. In the days that followed, two more families in similar circumstances were referred to the Salvos.

Even though the Unley Salvos team, in conjunction with Adelaide City Salvos, had finished most of its gift and food distribution, Colin Sampson, who heads the work at Unley Salvos, says it was a faith-building moment.

“Just then [after the first phone call], a school dropped off a vanload of brand-new toys and a fistful of gift cards,” Colin says. “It was like God knew exactly what these families needed.”

The first mother came in privately with her case worker. Volunteers helped her choose gifts, wrap them, and invited her to the carols and Christmas Eve dinner. The two other families received the same support.

“These little touches build community,” Colin says. “We invited them to the other Christmas events as well. It’s not just about the gifts — it’s about connection.”

How Unley Salvos supported the community at Christmas 

In the months leading up to Christmas, Unley Salvos worked across the community to support people experiencing hardship and encourage others to get involved. 

From mid-November until Christmas, the team operated gift-wrapping stations at two local shopping centres, established giving trees to collect food and presents for families in need, and visited local schools to talk about the Salvos' work and encourage food-drive donations. 

Volunteers also prepared: 

• 60 dignity bags for a family and domestic violence shelter 
• 60 youth packs for young people experiencing homelessness 
• 60 bags for refugee services 

The team also shared surplus donations with another Salvos corps that was running short, providing three carloads of food and two carloads of toys. 

Local schools and community organisations got behind the campaign. The SANFL's Sturt Football Club took over gift-wrapping duties for a day and contributed an additional $1,000 donation.

Christmas carols, nativity and fun 

While practical help is essential, so too is a sense of community, connection and joy, says Colin.

There were sheep costumes, a camel suit and plenty of laughter as congregation members were called forward to take part in a live nativity play over the Christmas season.

“We didn’t have actors picked out,” Colin says. “We literally pulled people out of the congregation at our carol service, had a narrator tell them how to act, and they dressed up on stage as we went. It was so much fun.”

Community Christmas carols in Unley were followed by a sausage sizzle and conversation.

“We invested our time heavily because we wanted to give people different formats to enjoy Christmas,” Colin says. “Not everyone is the same and faith isn’t cookie cutter.

“We wanted to give people a chance to have a taste of community, a great Christmas, but also a chance to think about who Jesus is, in a real sense of where they’re at.”

A place you didn’t know you needed 

Now in his third year as a corps officer, after six years of worshipping at Unley beforehand, Colin sees Christmas as a time when practical help and spiritual hope naturally meet. 

“It’s the place you didn’t know you needed until you get there,” he says. “We’re a bit of a crazy bunch — we dance, we sing, we stop for a coffee break in the middle of church. Anyone is welcome, and there’s space here for all to experience joy, community and the love of Jesus this season.” 

Visitors of all abilities are encouraged to join in at their own pace, with fidget bags and quiet spaces available at every service. 

Transforming lives through faith and connection 

Since first walking through the doors, Kim and her family have become part of the church community. She now sings in the worship team and attends Bible study and community gatherings during the week. 

“Ever since we’ve come to this church, we’ve seen a huge difference in my daughter who has some issues with ADHD,” Kim says. “She’s more aware of her surroundings, sitting longer, not running around. This church is centred on Christ, and it’s even showing in my little girl.” 

Reflecting on her own journey, which included a radical transformation after struggling with addiction for many years before coming to faith and maintaining sobriety, Kim now has a church where she feels supported and connected. 

Trying to explain the peace she now has, Kim says with a smile, “I was once lost, but now I’m found!”