Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts - Janice Maeditere.

Christmas is the season of giving, and who does it better than an organisation that gives to kids? Sallyanne is very passionate during Christmas because she champions the Be An Elf charity, which proclaims its mission is to help transform lives, instil hope, and build a brighter tomorrow for children in need. 

The #RUDstory is about our employees, the charities they support, the values they hold dear, and their experience of teamwork, challenges and motivation at RUD.

How many years have you been doing the Be An Elf charity?

My family has been supporting Be An Elf for the last seven years, and RUD Australia has been on board for the last six years. RUD's involvement has become a cherished tradition. RUD's commitment to Be An Elf has been long-term, with the team consistently contributing to the cause year after year.

The team at RUD plays a significant role in fulfilling the Wish Letters, gathering donations, and ensuring that the gifts are delivered to families in need during the holiday season. Their participation has made a meaningful difference to the children and families served by BE AN ELF and the larger community. 

Can you tell us a bit more about the charity?

Certainly! Be An Elf is a community-driven charity that operates primarily during the Christmas season. It aims to help children and families in need by fulfilling their wishes and providing essential items. The charity connects local children, some of whom are dealing with homelessness or extreme poverty, with businesses, organisations, and individuals who are willing to donate.

Each year, Be An Elf collects "Wish Letters" written by children or their parents, detailing their requests for holiday gifts. These requests are often for basic necessities like shoes, bedding, clothes, or hygiene products rather than toys or luxury items. The goal is to help families who are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the festive season when the pressure to provide for children can be overwhelming.

Volunteers, including individuals and company employees (like the team at RUD Chains), read the letters, match them with donations, and assemble gift bags filled with the requested items. Volunteer Deliverers then distribute the gifts to families, ensuring they receive them before Christmas Eve.

The charity’s impact goes beyond just material support; it brings awareness to the hidden issues of poverty, domestic violence and homelessness that many Australians face, particularly those who live in marginalised communities. Be An Elf encourages people to reflect on the importance of community and the profound impact that simple acts of kindness can have. It's a powerful reminder that Christmas isn't just about celebration - it’s also about giving back and helping those who are less fortunate.

Through the initiative, Be An Elf fosters a sense of connection and compassion, reminding us all of the power of community in making the holiday season brighter for everyone, no matter their circumstances.

We have been seeing a lot of cost-of-living issues recently. Have you seen an increase in requests?

The rising cost of living has significantly increased the number of Wish Letters received by Be An Elf as more families are struggling to make ends meet. With soaring expenses for essentials such as food, rent, and utilities, many parents are left unable to afford even the simplest gifts for their children. This year, we have seen an influx of requests for necessities like school shoes, warm bedding, clothing, and basic hygiene products - items that should never feel like luxuries but have become unattainable for many.

Families who might not have sought assistance before are now reaching out due to financial pressure, and the stories in the letters reflect the hardships faced by everyday Australians. These letters give us a powerful glimpse into how the cost of living crisis is impacting children. Requests like "a can of Soap, Shampoo and Conditioner," "a proper pillow," or even "some snacks like biscuits" highlight the heartbreaking reality of what families are forced to prioritize just to get by.

How does RUD get involved in Be An Elf?   

RUD gets deeply involved in Be An Elf by mobilising its employees to help fulfil the charity's mission during the Christmas season. Here’s how they typically get involved:

1. Adopting Wish Letters: Employees at RUD volunteer to read and adopt Wish Letters from children in need. These letters often contain requests for basic necessities like clothing, bedding, shoes, or hygiene products, which are crucial for families struggling with the rising cost of living.
2. Fulfilling Wishes: After adopting the letters, the RUD team members choose items from the list and donate them, ensuring that the children's specific wishes are met. This might include purchasing and preparing items like school shoes, toys, or essential household goods.
3. Gift Wrapping and Packaging: Once the gifts are collected, RUD volunteers help organise and package the donations into gift bags. These bags are then sent to Be An Elf's headquarters for final distribution to the families.
4. Support and Awareness: Beyond physical contributions, RUD also raises awareness and encourages other employees to get involved. They help spread the word about Be An Elf and rally support from their colleagues to contribute more Wish Letters and donations.

 Do you have any additional comments?

I take great joy in leading the Be An Elf initiative and inspiring my colleagues at RUD to contribute more wish letters. It fills me with pride to work alongside such generous people, all united in making Christmas the most magical day of the year for everyone.

Interested to join the team?

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