Community members including Mayor Tony McGrady and wife Sandra, and state member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter attended the launch party.

The Kmart Wishing Tree supports some of Australia's largest welfare organisations, including The Salvation Army, which had representatives at yesterday's launch.

Last year, 783 gifts were collected from the Wishing Tree in Mount Isa and distributed by the Flying Padre Outback Flying Service.

This year, Kmart manager Rodney Weller said he had set a high target of collecting 1000 gifts this year.

``It is a very important event for the local community as well as the needy across the nation,'' he said.

``The local community has a very community-based spirit in this town.''

Major Dennis Bryant, of the Salvation Army, was among those celebrating at yesterday's launch.

``It is lovely to be recognising that on Christmas Day in our community, that there are going to be kids who get something because of the generosity and kindness of strangers,'' he said.

``Mount Isa a good place to be and the gifts they give much such a significant difference in the lives of those that are struggling.'' To participate in the appeal, simply take a gift tag from the tree and specify the age and gender of a suitable recipient, place it with your gift under the Wishing Tree located in any Kmart store.

Cash donations are also welcome.

Gifts do not need to be bought from Kmart.