Amazon Australia is continuing to deliver smiles this holiday season with the company announcing today that it’ll donate more than $220,000 worth of products, gift cards and holiday gifts to farming families in need across the country, in partnership with not-for-profit, Drought Angels.
2,000 families will receive a $100 gift card from Amazon.com.au, and five farming families will receive a Christmas hamper, ranging in value from $5,000 to $10,000, containing this year’s top holiday gifts, including toys & games such as Unstable Unicorns; electronics including Bose portable speakers; homewares including Cuisinart cookware; and products from many small Aussie businesses, such as Zenify Earth, and Huski.
Award winning singer and songwriter, Guy Sebastian, and his wife stylist, philanthropist & author, Jules Sebastian, joined forces with Amazon Australia and Drought Angels to deliver the first Christmas hamper to a farming family in Cudgewa, Victoria, who have been impacted by this year’s bushfire crisis and personal tragedy.
The family includes Louise Middleton, her husband Ian and their two teenage daughters Grace and Genevieve, who are big fans of the Sebastians. In 2019, Louise was diagnosed with bowel cancer and underwent treatment, all whilst the family struggled against the worst drought in history. When bushfires hit the farm in January this year, the Middletons had to fight for their lives with Louise battling through on her birthday. The family dog, Harry, who had been by her side through cancer and the fires, passed away to a snakebite a few months ago.
“2020 has really devastated our family, as we’ve faced tremendous loss, challenges and suffering. But the incredible donation from Amazon Australia and ongoing support from Drought Angels is amazing and will help us immensely as we restore our property, and our spirits." said Louise Middleton. "Meeting Guy and Jules was the cherry on top of this special experience, particularly for my girls who are big fans.”
The Middleton’s hamper, worth $10,000, included products to help them rebuild such as a much-needed family lounge, drone, satellite phone while also including top holiday picks from Amazon.com.au, including a Lenovo laptop and products from small Aussie businesses, such as Zenify Earth and Huski.
“We’re delighted to work with Amazon Australia and Drought Angels, a crucial charity for the Australian farming community, on this wonderful initiative to spread some joy and deliver smiles to families who have had it tough this year," said Guy Sebastian. “The Middletons are a beautiful Victorian family, who have been struck by unimaginable tragedy this year, from the bushfires damaging their farmland to personal illness and loss. They are truly deserving of some joy this festive season.”
Matt Furlong, country manager for Amazon Australia said, “At Amazon Australia, it’s important to us to give back to local families and rural communities who have had such a challenging year. That’s why we’ve partnered with Drought Angels to deliver a few smiles where we can and help bring some festive cheer to Australian farming families by donating products to help them rebuild, in addition to some top holiday gifts and 2,000 gift cards with handwritten notes from our employees.
“We’re so pleased to have worked with Guy and Jules Sebastian to give the Middletons this special moment that they so deserve this Christmas.”
Jenny Gailey, director of Drought Angels said, “2020 has been especially challenging for Aussie farmers from natural disasters to financial hardship. It makes the world of difference for Amazon Australia to step in and help us provide relief and some much-needed joy ahead of the festive season.”
Amazon Australia is committed to helping to deliver smiles this holiday season, most recently having worked with the Starlight Children’s Foundation on the Amazon Playmakers initiative to help support seriously ill children and their families during the holiday season.
