We help bring joy to kids who care for a family member

CaringKids Home

Lions in Support of CaringKids Charity

At the 2023 National Lions Multiple District Convention at the Gold Coast the ‘Lions in Support of CaringKids Charity’ project was adopted nationally from 2023-2026.

Lions Clubs across Australia will be bringing more joy to young carers by supporting this project. Lions Clubs across cities and towns are donating funds to create Joy Boxes and raise awareness of young carers.

Lions International President’s AwardThe Lions International President’s Award recognises members who go above and beyond in their service – those who lead by example, strengthen their clubs and communities, and actively support the broader goals of Lions Clubs International.

CaringKids Kindness Matters Awards

Lions Kindness Matters Award

Nominate a Lions Club or Lions Member for a Kindness Matters Award.

Read our Lions stories.

CaringKids Video

CaringKids YouTube Video

CaringKids YouTube Video

Officeworks staff and customers raise funds to bring joy to young carers

For the month of June, Officeworks customers in 13 locations have been encouraged to round up the cost of their Officeworks purchase to the nearest dollar at the check-out in store or online in support of CaringKids!

The Make a Difference Appeal is held as part of Officeworks’ People & Planet Positive Plan commitments to make a positive difference in the communities it operates. Last year’s Appeal raised more than $950,000 for 15 charities across Australia.

Thank you to all the Officeworks stores and the Space Planning and Merchandise Support Team for choosing to raise funds to bring joy to young carers this June ✨

UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell

“Play is a sign that children feel safe and nurtured and loved. They feel somewhat that they can be children even in the midst of great difficulty.”

Support Our Cause

CaringKids helps children burdened with adult responsibilities. These young carers take on tasks such as housework, shopping, cooking, dealing with health professionals and even taking on financial matters.

In order to look after a family member, young carers put caring before study, school and play time. They often have to cope with the financial hardship that goes hand in hand with the cost of caring for a family member living with a disability.

There are over 235,000 children and teenagers in Australia caring for a disabled or chronically ill family member. On average they spend 6 hours a week on caring duties.

Because of their caring commitments, 22% of young carers miss a day of school per week. As a result they are around 1.5 years behind in NAPLAN.

Give to connect Joy Boxes to  young carers. Donations $2 and over are tax-deductible.

CaringKids Joy Boxes

We help to bring joy to children caring for a family member living with a disability by delivering Joy Boxes to young carers. Our Joy Boxes are packed with toys, games and books that not only bring joy, but also allow children to learn and grow.

Just a few dollars can help put a smile on a child’s face.

If you would like young carers to experience the fun and carefree moments that we associate with childhood,  a tax-deductible donation of $75 will deliver a Toy Box to a child caring for a family member.

Our Toy Boxes are delivered to the doorstep of young carers across Australia.

October 12 at 10:24pm
View on Facebook
🧡 Recognising Carers this
#NationalCarersWeek

Through the Lions-supported CaringKids Charity, Joy Boxes filled with gifts and surprises are delivered year-round to children… See more

🧡 Recognising Carers this
#NationalCarersWeek

Through the Lions-supported CaringKids Charity, Joy Boxes filled with gifts and surprises are delivered year-round to children caring for a sibling or family member living with a disability or chronic illness.

Each box is lovingly created at the CaringKids Toy Workshop in Sydney, reminding these remarkable kids that they are seen, valued and appreciated.

123Read2Me add to the fun by donating hundreds of books to fill Joy Boxes each year 📚

Thank you to all young carers making a difference every day, and to the Lions Clubs helping bring joy to their lives! 🦁

#NationalCarersWeek #CaringKids
#Youngcarers #LionsAustralia #JoyBoxes #showthemyoucare Lions Australia Coogee Lions Club 123Read2Me Lions Clubs International

September 18 at 12:26pm
View on Facebook
🗞️ Our September news contains stories we are bursting to tell you about!

🌟 Young carers receiving JOY BOXES

🌟 Benevolent Society Carer Gateway Team join us at the toy… See more

🗞️ Our September news contains stories we are bursting to tell you about!

🌟 Young carers receiving JOY BOXES

🌟 Benevolent Society Carer Gateway Team join us at the toy workshop

🌟 Baulkham Hills High School Leo’s fundraise and create 100 stationery packs!

🌟 Lions International President AP Sing and Past International Director Sangeeta Raita visit our workshop to see a Lions project in action

🌟 Did you know National Carers Week is coming up in October? We have something planned…. 🥳

🌟 Jo OBrien receives a Lions CaringKids Kindness Matters Award at the 15th Birthday of Platinum Preschool

🎄 Christmas Update – Register now to host a Xmas TOY DRIVE

🌟 Plus more – read our news to find out how CaringKids recognise theLions Clubs InternationalrThe Benevolent SocietyCBaulkham Hills High SchooleCarers AustraliaaCarers NSWlPlatinum Pre SchoolsLions AustraliarLions Sydney N5PCoogee Lions ClubuSimply Giving Sydney N5 Coogee Lions Club Simply Giving

September 5
View on Facebook
📌 Our friends in blue at Officeworks have come to the rescue 🛟 providing CaringKids with furniture and more for our new warehouse / office! Having had the support of OW during… See more
📌 Our friends in blue at Officeworks have come to the rescue 🛟 providing CaringKids with furniture and more for our new warehouse / office! Having had the support of OW during their 2022 and 2024 Make a Difference Appeal, the support given to charities goes beyond the Appeal creating lasting change and ongoing support to help charities reach new heights.

Thank you to the Officeworks Community Team! We can’t wait to unbox all these goodies!! 🎈 🥳 #makebiggerthingshappen #makeadifferenceappeal #generosity #kindness #joybox #youngcarers

September 4
View on Facebook
⭐️ Lions International President A P Singh and Past International Director Sangeeta Jaita together with District Governor Mohan Nanayakkar and Dr Mohishi, PDG Elvio Munzone OAM, … See more
⭐️ Lions International President A P Singh and Past International Director Sangeeta Jaita together with District Governor Mohan Nanayakkar and Dr Mohishi, PDG Elvio Munzone OAM, Lions members, CaringKids Board Directors and volunteers joined us for an inspiring and unforgettable visit to our new toy workshop yesterday.

With 1.3 million members world-wide Lions is the largest voluntary service organisation in the world dedicated to serving the needs of communities. The Lions in Support of CaringKids project is an Australian Lions national project. To date more than 250 clubs have sponsored Joy Boxes for young carers across Australia.

We thank IP AP Singh and PID Sangeeta Raita for their encouragement and support of our project and to all the Lions and Leo’s Clubs across Australia who make it possible for us to bring joy to young carers ✨ 🦁

Coogee Lions Club Lions Sydney N5 Lions Australia Lions Clubs International

September 1
View on Facebook
⭐️ 📬 Dearest Margaret and all the wonderful people at Caring Kids!!

Thank you all for the amazing toy box you created for Anaishia.

Anaishia would like me to tell you
she… See more

⭐️ 📬 Dearest Margaret and all the wonderful people at Caring Kids!!

Thank you all for the amazing toy box you created for Anaishia.

Anaishia would like me to tell you
she loved everything you sent. Her favourite things were the signed soccer ball from the Matildas, the games, the soft mushroom snuggler and the books!!

Anaishia decided to give a few things out to her little brother (new lunch box for prep!) and also gave some new pencils to her older sister (who is an amazing artist).

As usual she is looking out for her 5
siblings and loved playing the Tumble Tower game with everyone.

Anaishia has such a beautiful caring soul and as her mother I would like to send so much love and blessings to every single person involved in this incredible organisation.

Watching her open up a box that was delivered to her personally and watching the excitement of not knowing why and how she got this.

She read the letter from Margaret and the Caring Kids crew to myself and her siblings, making a few tears fall but seeing her slowly coming to the understanding of how much she is appreciated for helping her 2 brothers (with disabilities) and the help and love she gives everyone everyday is SEEN.

I can’t express how grateful I am, as a single mum of 6 children I could never afford to buy the things that were in the JOY BOX, all carefully selected for her and her likes.

Every single item was an item
she needed, others she was shocked that she got lol (a collectors soccer ball!!). Every present she pulled out she got so excited!! Watching her open it was like watching her at Christmas, so heart-warming, I admit I shed a few tears.

I can never thank you enough for what you have done for my family.

God bless you all.

Thank you thank you, thank you!!

Chontele and Anaishia 💟

August 31
View on Facebook
The Lions International President’s Award recognises members who go above and beyond in their service – those who lead by example, strengthen their clubs and communities, and… See more
The Lions International President’s Award recognises members who go above and beyond in their service – those who lead by example, strengthen their clubs and communities, and actively support the broader goals of Lions Clubs International.

It’s not just about titles or years of service – it’s about real impact. Recipients are deeply involved in meaningful service projects that make a difference.

Lions are proud to announce that Margaret Skagias, founder of CaringKids and Chair of the Lions in Support of CaringKids Charity Project, was honoured with this prestigious award at the Christmas in July themed Lions District 201N5 Changeover and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, 22 June 2025. The award was presented by District Governor Genevieve Jeny on behalf of International President Fabricio Oliveira alongside PDG Elvio Munzone OAM who shared some insight into the impact Margaret and CaringKids has made to the lives of young carers across Australia.

This well-deserved recognition celebrates Margaret’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to supporting children who are young carers.

Thank you to Margaret and all the CaringKids team, Lions Club of Coogee, Lions District 201N5 and Lions CaringKids Committee and Lions Australia Clubs for their support and inspiration! ✨

Load more

Contact Us

Please contact us via the form below.

Join our mailing list to be notified of our upcoming events and latest news. Please untick, if you don't wish to subscribe to our mailing list.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

CaringKids

Caring Kids Incorporated
ABN 82 206 098 661

If you have questions about our Joy Boxes or would like more information about CaringKids, fill in the Contact Us form and we will get in touch with you soon. We welcome Joy Box feedback from children and families, share your feedback here.

Phone/Email Us

Phone: (02) 9247 7990
Email: info@caringkids.org.au

Opening Hours

Hours: By appointment

Our office is closed during school holidays.

Toy Workshop

CaringKids Toy Workshop
Unit 4/ 45-47 Green Street
Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Postal Address

CaringKids
PO Box 91
Edgecliff NSW 2027