Students from Warnervale’s MacKillop Catholic College are helping make Christmas a little easier for disadvantaged families around the Coast.
The College’s annual Christmas Appeal commences at the beginning of December each year and sees the secondary school community come together to donate gifts, food items and other festive essentials to be turned into Christmas hampers for families that would otherwise go without.
This year’s appeal got off to a great start, with Year 12 students finding their inner Chris Cringles via a mass toy donation.
From skateboards and action figures to dollhouses and teddy bears, Year 12 dug deep this year, with their generosity to ensure that local children will have a present to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Michelle Baxter is the College’s Leader of Outreach and coordinated the Appeal.
According to her, this year’s giving felt more impactful than previous years.
“After the year that no one saw coming, many families are without jobs and under increased financial stress, some for the first time in their lives.
“With more families facing uncertainty, there are many who don’t know what to expect for Christmas Day, but with our help, we can make it a little less stressful,” Baxter said.
Aside from Year 12, Baxter also praised students involved in the College’s Mini Vinnies and Youth Ministry groups who’ve been selling Christmas ornaments and cards to help raise funds to be contributed to the hampers.
Dilon Luke