Pyjama Day - Backpacks 4 Kids Fundraising
A former parent of our community, Jeff George, recently wrote to us and shared that he has been selected as the Ambassador for a charity called Backpacks 4 SA Kids. I would like to share his words with you:
Backpacks4SAKids http://backpacks4sakids.org is a great local charity that provides clothes and personal supplies (in a backpack) to children placed in emergency care and domestic violence shelters. These backpacks help to relieve some of the uncertainty children face when they are removed from their family - often leaving possessions and comforts behind. Sadly, there is an ever increasing demand for this service in thecommunity.
I am hopeful the school can consider a "Pyjama Day" on Friday 3rdAugust for this charity.Pyjamas are often an item in demand for backpacks - hence the theme - which we are hoping will be embraced throughout the state similar to other "themes" for other charities (e.g Jeans for Genes etc). This will certainly be a unique and exciting way to raise much needed funds for a fantastic charity and I would be very grateful for any support St Pius X School anoffer.
In light of Jeff's request, we invite all students, staff and our wider school community to wear pyjamas this Friday and bring a gold coin donation. Sneakers/shoes must be worn by the students, particularly given the weather conditions!
Posting Joy
We appreciate that our parents and caregivers might find it inappropriate to wear pyjamas to their workplace so an alternative is available - a "Posting Joy" day. A flyer outlining this alternative has been placed on the parent's noticeboard in the courtyard by the Student Entry door. Posting Joy involves purchasing a postcard for $5 with the Backpacks 4 SA Kids mascot on it. The purchaser then writes a positive comment to a child entering into emergency services and the card is provided to a child who receives a backpack. Children who are displaced from their homes often have a constant negative 'inner voice' where they don't believe in their self-worth. To have a visual reminder of something positive such as a postcard with a positive comment can help brighten a really difficult time for a child. Often they are kept in their pockets and some children even sleep with their cards under their pillows!
Some examples of positive comments you could place on a postcard are:
- Reach for the stars because you are someone special
- You are not alone
- You have a beautiful heart
- You are loved
- The world is better with you in it
- We have faith in you
- You are capable
- You are deserving
- You are strong
- You make a difference
With every $5.00 raised B4SAK will be able to purchase a set of pyjamas. Pyjamas are currently the item receiving the most positive feedback from children provided with backpacks. One child recently quoted "I didn't know pyjamas were so comfy! I always just wore the clothes I was wearing that day, but pyjamas really help you fall asleep. I love them. Thank you." - things that some of us just take for granted!