IN ADDITION to the assistance provided to people experiencing poverty throughout the year, St Vincent de Paul volunteers have been working tirelessly to create Christmas food hampers and gift assistance for those in the community who are experiencing hardship.
Newhaven College was thrilled to be able to help St Vinnies by collecting toys from the College and broader community under the Wardy’s Newhaven College Christmas Tree.
Now residing in Blue Hills Residencies Retirement Village in Cranbourne, John Ward, the founder of the Christmas Tree, sends his greetings and special thanks. John says, “thank you to all who have responded to the tree and kept a Newhaven College tradition going for another year.”
Last week Newhaven College St Vincent de Paul volunteers, Mary Stack (President), Hess and Monica Bekema, Linda Sparkes, Cathy and Howard Jones were incredulous at the generous donations. 160 local families will be the happy recipients of the gifts donated and expressed their appreciation for the College and broader community.
“We would like to thank all the community, businesses, charities and craft groups, including Rhyll Boomerang Bags and Newhaven College for their generous donations to our Christmas Giving tree. The gifts and donated goods enabled us to help families in San Remo/Cowes that required support during the Christmas period.
“We ask our clients to come into our hall and collect their Coles vouchers and hampers and then they can select the toys that are appropriate for their children. As well as this we also had Pinchapoo Pamper packs and Share with Dignity bags and toiletry packs that were donated to us. Overall, this day was very successful, and we again thank everyone who made it possible.”
St Vincent de Paul also recognise and thank Aldi Cowes and San Remo IGA for their generous contributions.
Newhaven College Principal, Mr Tony Corr also expressed his delight at being involved.
“Newhaven College is pleased to be supporting St Vincent de Paul on their Christmas toy collection each year. Our school community are very aware of the very important work that St Vincent de Paul do and understand that these donations can make such a significant difference to many children and families. We hope to continue to support St Vincent de Paul for many years to come.”
