St Michael’s Mini Vinnies, Winter Woollies and Stay Out
Photo supplied.
On Friday June 14, St Michael’s Kaleen dressed up warmly in an effort to highlight the need for warm clothing for the poor, and particularly the homeless, during our cold winters.
Instead of the usual gold coin donation for wearing free clothes, the students brought in blankets, jackets, gloves, beanies and jumpers which were later donated to St Vincent de Paul.
Later in the day about 50 students participated in our now annual Stay Out. As a junior version of the St Vincent de Paul Sleep Out, our students came back to school for the evening and participated in a range of activities learning more about the realities of homelessness.
They sorted the clothing and blankets donated earlier in the day and packed hygiene kits for the Night Patrol Van.
We had a hot soup dinner and spent some time outside imagining what it would be like to try to sleep outside on a cold Winter’s evening.
We raised $745.00 for the Night Patrol.
Well done to the students of St Michael’s school, their teachers and parents for this admirable effort in putting themselves in the shoes of a homeless person, even for a short time. I trust that this experience will stay with the students as they go through life. May they always be conscious of where need exists and be motivated to respond generously to lessening the needs of the less fortunate in our society.