STUDENTS at Shepparton’s Notre Dame College have banded together to make Christmas a little easier for those who need it with a generous donation to Vinnies.
The student-led drive was the idea of year seven and eight students from the McGann house, who pitched the idea to their senior peers and received enthusiastic support.
Donations of food, toiletries, pre-loved books and clothing started trickling in, filling boxes in teachers’ offices. The final load was donated last Wednesday.
The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies), a Catholic organisation which works to assist people in need and combat social injustice, runs a store in Shepparton on Maude Street, stocking clothing, shoes, books, manchester, furniture and a range of other goods.
Junior McHann head of house at Notre Dame College, Josie Hamilton, said she was impressed how the students had been focused on helping the Shepparton community and had been aware of how the Coronavirus restrictions had affected everybody.
“It’s nice to see it coming to fruition,” she said.
“Plus, it’s a relief for those teachers whose offices have been inaccessible because of all the goods the students have collected.”
Year eight student, Iliada Bramich, was one student involved in getting the drive off the ground.
She said the amount of donated goods had exceeded her expectations.
“I’m grateful we got this much and it’s going to people who need it,” she said.
“I’m also grateful for what I have and I feel that a lot of people don’t have the same sort of things that I do. I feel that I need to contribute to them because they’re less fortunate than us.”
