GENEROUS Canberrans have opened their wallets and their hearts to charity over the Christmas and New Year period, giving the RSPCA more than $100,000 to meet its target for the Christmas appeal.
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Volunteers also gave up their time to feed and care for animals through the festive season and donated pet toys, food, treats and blankets.
Other charities have also noticed an increase in goodwill and giving, with the ACT Council of Social Service saying that donations have increased across the board.
ACTCOSS director Roslyn Dundas said, ''This is a really good thing, there has been a greater level of charity across the community sector.
''Community organisations in 2011 saw an increase in demand for support and services and we have a lot of conversations in the community about that and there has been more generosity. We can see a correlation there, people are responding to the need.
''Even on New Year's Eve there are volunteers working in the Salvos stores in Canberra, keeping them going.
''There has been a generous feeling but certainly in 2012 we are going to have to keep that conversation going about supporting communities in need.''
Lifeline Canberra chief executive Mike Zissler said hundreds of volunteers had given up time during their holidays to answer telephones and organise the coming book fair that will raise money for the service.
''We have been very very busy over Christmas and the New Year period, lots of people are reaching out,'' Mr Zissler said.
''Family crisis is at its highest, there are strained relationships, people often overspend money and overdrink alcohol, it does not lead to good family dynamics and we get people ringing us and saying 'how will I pay this credit card bill'.
''Just under 9000 phone calls were answered in the past seven days,'' he said.
