St Vincent de Paul

With the season of Easter just passing, the SJPC chapter of Vinnies were very busy.  We launched our annual Easter egg drive in week six, and as always, the response was incredible!  In the penultimate week of term one, we were able to hand over several kilograms of chocolates to the local St Vincent de Paul conferences.  These eggs were distributed around the area to those seeking assistance, and the College community was able to ensure that Easter was not a bleak time for many children (and adults).

Towards the end of last term, Coffs Harbour and the surrounds experienced a Noachian rain; I hope for the majority of the College community that this was only a minor inconvenience. However, for others, particularly the homeless and rough sleepers, this was horrendous.  I received a call from Karen at Hope for the Homeless, a local charity working to ensure that the local homeless in the region have some shelter, warmth and basically human dignity.  After the floods, many of the homeless had vanished, and local charities spend a great deal of time trying to find them again.

At the College, we often speak of social justice, but this presented an opportunity to render practical aid. After putting out the call for tarpaulins, blankets, tinned food and toiletries, within a week, the staff and students of the College brought enough in to fill a trailer! The response was so overwhelming that there was enough left over to help others affected by the floods!

An enormous thank you to all the staff, students and those in the wider community that have donated to both of these causes.  Vinnies is unfortunately needed more than ever, and we have been able to do some good for the rest of humanity.