Vinnies Christmas Appeal

It won’t be long and we will all be thinking about Christmas. Carols will be playing in the shops, Santa is already posing for thousands of ‘socially distant’ photos in shopping centres, and discussions about where lunch will be on Christmas Day will begin!

Sadly, there are many people in our community who experience financial hardship, particularly at Christmas time. During 2022, Vinnies have provided support for the most vulnerable in our community through food hampers, vouchers and clothing. This year, more than ever, our local St Vincent de Paul conference needs our help.

The Vinnies Christmas Appeal is a worthwhile cause which our school community has supported for many years. Every Christmas, the Dernancourt Vinnies conference distributes over 100 Christmas Hampers to families and new gifts for children. The demand for assistance has steadily increased over the last few years.

We are inviting our school community to contribute to the wonderful work that Vinnies do, particularly at Christmas by donating food and/or new toys/gifts for children.

Please send non-perishable food items in a plastic shopping bag to your child’s classroom. You may also like to include Christmas napkins, wrapping paper or other festive items which could help a family celebrate.

There is a ‘Giving Tree’ placed near the Year 2 and 3 classrooms for donations of new gifts/toys (downstairs break out space in the new building). Some ideas for possible gifts accompany this letter. The volunteers from Vinnies need to see each gift before offering them to families so we ask that if you donate gifts, they be new and not wrapped.

If you would like to send a voucher for families to use to purchase food or gifts, please place this in a sealed envelope and deliver to the office.

Vinnies volunteers will collect our donated items in Week 8.

I invite you to take part in our mission of outreach at Christmas and support the work of our local Vinnies conference in whatever way you are able.

Food Hamper Suggestions
Bon-bons
Christmas lollies
Coffee
Cordial
Custard powder
Jam
Jelly
Long life milk
Mince pies
Pasta, spaghetti, sauce
Reduced cream
Savoury biscuits
Sweet biscuits
Tea bags
Tinned carrots
Tinned fruit
Tinned green beans
Tinned peas

Giving Tree Gift Ideas
Board games
Craft sets
Crayons/Texta Set
Balls (basket ball, soccer etc)
Gift vouchers
Hair ornaments
Sports hats
Teddy bears
Lego
Outdoor games
Puzzles
Sports Equipment
Toiletries (eg deodorant set)
Toys
Wrapping paper
Blankets

Please don’t send second hand items or clothing.

Vinnies volunteers will wrap presents before gifting at Christmas, so please don’t wrap!