HUNDREDS of disadvantaged Brisbane families will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to the generosity of Catholic school students.
Carmel College, Thornlands, has donated more than 150 hampers to the Redlands St Vincent de Paul Society.
Assistant principal Peter Edwards said the hampers would be handed over to representatives of the Vinnies Redlands conference during a school assembly.
“This continues to be such a positive social justice project at Carmel College as the students can really see that their efforts are benefitting local communities and families in need,” Mr Edwards said.
He said donating to Vinnies at Christmas was a school tradition and was growing stronger each year.
“Students go that ‘extra mile’ and better their donations from the year before,” Mr Edwards said.
Students at Brigidine College, Indooroopilly, have collected 50 hampers to donate to this year’s Indooroopilly St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Appeal.
Students said they enjoyed the opportunity to give at Christmas.
Year 9 Brigidine student Claire O’Donoghue said it always felt good to give.
“I try to do it every year since I was at primary school, and it’s a nice thing to do,” she said.
Fellow Year 9 student Abbey Lennon-McDonald agreed.
“It is a great idea to be able to help those in need in the local area,” she said.
Brigidine religious education teacher and Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal co-ordinator Rochelle McWhirter said the activity highlighted the importance of the spirit of giving in the learning of the students – “(that) we, as a Catholic family (should) show respect and always think about others”.
“We often think about what we are going to receive from Santa and it’s right to think about the others in our society just like Jesus would,” Mrs McWhirter said.
By Erwin Cabucos
