BE AN ELF LTD is established to be a not for profit, whose purpose is to relieve poverty and build equal opportunity for children in Australia. We are non-denominational and assist children of all races, colours, sexes and creeds, with a special emphasis on poorer children, from significantly disadvantaged minorities, for example; Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children.
EVERY CHILD'S LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Be an Elf Ltd was formed in in January 2018, but the Be An Elf Christmas Appeal has actually been operating for 11 years, in one form or other. Originally a group of concerned members of M.A.D (Mothers Against Drugs INC), just wanted to help hungry local children. Every time they went shopping, they would put a few extra items in the trolley, to be later distributed to children in need. From these humble beginnings, the giving program grew from helping a few, to helping hundreds and potentially thousands of deprived children, through the annual 'Be An Elf Xmas Appeal’.
'The Be an Elf Xmas Appeal' has been very successful. In 2016 we received national coverage in News Corp publications and The Daily Mail, as well as Quest newspapers for the first time. We get children and teens to write a wish list letter to Santa, which is then filled by generous donors. We are proud to say that have been able to make many children happy through the Appeal . Some of the letters we receive are heart breaking. They ask for towels, sheets, school shoes and lunchboxes for Christmas. We deliver to houses with no furniture and often find that the young people are living in very insecure situations. They may be couch surfing, living in cars or in crowded housing commission homes of 2-3 families, if in fact they are not homeless.
'The Be An Elf Xmas Appeal' is our most important community outreach campaign, but not our only one. The 'Sleepy Elves Appeal', where we help disadvantaged children with Manchester items is steadily growing. The group now known as Be An Elf Ltd has a long history. We have actually been operating under our former name M.A.D, since 1989, helping disadvantaged children, teens and their families in the Logan/Beenleigh regions and throughout South East Qld. Our name has changed and we have also evolved in our services role, over that period. Never the less, we have consistently helped literally 100’s of local children and their families to overcome problems relating to poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse, gambling, homelessness and criminality issues.
We have taken children and teens, who had no hope, no educational opportunities and even no food and shelter off the street and seen them go on to lead valuable and contributing lives. We will often be the last recourse when a child has nowhere else to turn.
Some of the kids we see just need a push, a kind word, someone to talk to, some food and decent clothing. Our volunteers tell us they have heard children we help say years later, “You know, that was the one thing that turned it around for me.” A simple act of generosity can have profound life changing results.
In our current work, Be An Elf Ltd focuses on 0-18 year olds', who are most in need of:
• Emotional and psychological support
• Physical safety and housing
• Items that meet their basic living and schooling needs
These young people include those who are:
• facing or at risk of sexual exploitation or experiencing domestic abuse
• at risk of running away from home or care
• seeking accommodation. They may be homeless, living in a car, couch surfing or sleeping rough.
• living with a disability or caring for someone in their family with a disability, illness or substance abuse
• living in care
• offending or in the youth justice system
• having mental and emotional health concerns
We also assist the families of disadvantaged children.