After 37-years and over $700,000 donated to over 95 international and local charities, the much-loved BCCCS has closed. For their final donation, the BCCCS Committee decided it was important to support a Ballarat charity.  

“We’re so appreciative to the Ballarat Combined Charities Christmas Card Shop for thinking of us for their final donation after being a valuable community resource for since 1984,” Sarah Masters, Head of Foundation and Fundraising said. “They have offered so much more to our community than Christmas cards, with their final act of generosity being a contribution to newborn hearing equipment that will make such a difference to those who are the future of our community.” 

Denise Boyko, who has been the Coordinator of the Shop for the last five years explained why they wanted to give their last gift locally. “We were quite certain we wanted any money we had left to be given to the local community, who have supported us for so many years – both our volunteers and the customers.  This special Appeal allows us to give back to our community.”  

For the BCCCS Committee, donating to the Tax Appeal for newborn hearing equipment was a very logical choice. Several members of the Committee have experience of hearing problems in their families and understand the importance of this equipment.  

Shop Treasurer Pamela Foulkes grew up with hearing impairment in her family. “Both my grandfather and my father suffered major hearing loss in their early 20s. I saw how socially isolated they both became over the years, so I am very conscious of the impact this can have on individuals and families,” Ms Foulkes said. “The Newborn Hearing Tax Appeal is such a worthwhile project. If we can pick up hearing loss very early, it does change peoples’ lives.” 

The BCCCS Committee felt that giving their remaining funds to a local cause could have a greater impact than giving to a large charity. The Ballarat Health Services 2022 Tax Appeal is raising money for newborn hearing diagnostic equipment. All babies born in Victoria are offered a newborn screening test, ideally before they leave hospital. Following this screening, a small number of babies require additional, detailed testing to diagnose potential hearing loss – ideally before the baby is one month old. This equipment will be used as part of our no-cost audiology service for all babies in our region. All funds raised during the 2022 Tax Appeal will be used to purchase new equipment for Ballarat.  

Donations for the 2022 Tax Appeal can be made online via: https://bhs-tax-appeal-2022.raisely.com/ 

Background: 

Launched by Connie Sadler in 1984, the Ballarat Combined Charities Card Shop was a valuable community resource, selling not only Christmas cards, but also craft items and tea towels. Over the past 37 years, they have donated over $700,000 to more than 95 charities. These included large international charities such as Save the Children and World Vision, national charities including Red Cross and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Victorian charities including the Royal Children’s Hospital and Anglicare, and local charities including Ballarat Soup Bus, Uniting Care Outreach Ballarat and Ballarat Health Services.