Australians have a well-deserved reputation for their generosity of spirit, for helping out the underdog and for stepping up when times are tough.
Right now for some, times just don't get any tougher, and that generosity is needed more than ever.
Luckily, there's a way everyone can share the love and joy, not just on Christmas Day, but for the next 365 days of the year.
The 2020 Australian Firefighters Calendar has everything you look for in a calendar, incredibly cute animals of all sizes and shapes, smokin' hot and hunky firemen, 15 fabulous charities ... oh and there are, you know, days and months and things like that ...
Did we mention cuddly critters... and firefighters??
No matter what your spirit animal, there's a calendar to suit with six to choose from including cats, dogs, native wildlife, horses and farm animals ...
"That's only five" I hear you say, and you'd be right ...
The sixth features just those hunky heroes in a series of fabulous solo portraits (notice how we make that sound positively artistic?)
Buy all six and fill everyone's stocking with a lot of festive eye candy, safe in the knowledge that your gift will keep giving for the rest of 2020.
There's even a day planner so you can take these beauties (we mean the animals) where ever you go.
This year, your support will flow to more than a dozen not-for-profits, each and every one a deserving recipient.
For example, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has been inundated with injured koalas rescued from the extensive firegrounds in Queensland.
Here these gorgeous animals will receive the vital medical attention they need to save their lives but also the love, care and patience to rehabilitate them and enable them to return to the wild.
But it is an expensive process, costing more than $7000 to treat, rehabilitate and release each koala.
When you buy a 2020 Australian Firefighters Calendar this Christmas you will help these little Aussie icons survive and hopefully thrive.
Jeff, who graces the cover of the cat calendar, has been involved in the project for nine years.
"When I think back to why I started the real reason has never changed: we are able to give something more back to the community than just our role at work," he said.
"We can affect positive change by giving some of our time in trade for people buying the calendar, and in turn helping those who really need it.
"This year there are multiple charities that will be receiving donations from the calendar - the animal calendars in particular are associated with some incredible animal charities.
"Safe Haven Animal Rescue is a not for profit that does vital work, they rescue and care for dogs and cats to find these animals forever homes. And Pets of the Homeless is another charity that provide an amazing service: they help provide food, vet care, and any other needs for animals whose carers are at risk of or are currently experiencing homelessness. It is easy to see why we love to be a part of the calendar with such deserving charities," Jeff said.
Like Jeff, all of the men involved in the Australian Firefighters Calendar signed up because they wanted to raise money to help their communities and really put their hearts and souls into the shoot.
Over the past 27 years the calendar has donated just over $3 million to various charities across the country, and this year is no exception.
Please know that your generosity this Christmas will change lives by giving them a second chance, a sense of hope and the opportunity for a new beginning,
Remember, like a new calendar, the future is there to be lived and thanks to you, many will now be able to do just that.
- Australian Community Media is a media partner with the Australian Firefighters Calendar.