Target and UnitingCare have made it easy to contribute by simply purchasing a an Appeal bauble for $1 or giving an unwrapped gift at Ararat’s Target department store before December 24.

All proceeds will be donated to UnitingCare Australia to be distributed across the country.

Ararat UnitingCare co-ordinator Yvonne Dridan said 2017 had been a really tough year for families facing issues o unemployment and rising costs of living.

“We really do rely on generous people in the community to dig deep, show compassion and support our appeal at Christmas,” she said.

In 2016, the appeal raised over $1.2 million and helped 45,000 families and this year the appeal hopes to raise $1.5 million nationwide.