Overwhelming generosity on show for Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Christmas will be a bit brighter for more than 200 people in the local community, thanks, in part, to the generosity of Blackfriars families.

This morning, volunteers from the Prospect/Kilburn Conference of St Vincent de Paul collected toys and cash donated by the Blackfriars community as part of the annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

Vinnies volunteer and Blackfriars old scholar Patrick Moylan (BPS’75) said the number of toys left under the Christmas tree in the Chapel of St Albert the Great was “phenomenal”.

Last year, Vinnies provided gift hampers to support more than 200 people in Blair Athol, Kilburn, Prospect and North Adelaide over the Christmas period, many of them teenagers and primary school-aged children.

“Through your contribution, we were able to bring that Christmas message, the joy and the hope and the promise, because we could tell the parents,’you don’t need to worry about presents, we have got some excellent toys, some excellent gifts’,” Mr Moylan said.

“So, as with last year and again this year, a big thank you from all of us. You are taking the Christmas message absolutely directly into people’s homes and these are people who otherwise wouldn’t have a Christmas.”

Long-serving Vinnies volunteer Tess Holland said the generosity of the Blackfriars community grew each year.

“Every year it seems to get more; last year it was enormous and this is even bigger,” Ms Holland said.

She said Vinnies had seen in an increase in the number of people doing it tough amid the cost-of-living crisis.

“There have been other families joining us, and it’s quite surprising because sometimes they’re working and they still can’t afford to pay their rent and buy food for the children,” she said.

Tess Holland, Patrick Moylan (BPS’75), Marie Whitehead, Ai-Huong Nguyen, John Turnbull, Angela Barrett, Liz Thomas and Lydia Newland collect toys donated as part of the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

Assistant Principal: Religious Identity & Mission Angela Collins also thanked the Blackfriars community for their generosity.

“This year’s Christmas Appeal has reminded us, once again, of the incredible compassion and support that defines our school community,” Ms Collins.

“To every family, student and staff member who gave so generously, thank you for embodying the true meaning of Christmas. Your gifts will light up hearts and homes in our local community.

“No child should go without at Christmas. In this time of joy, we thank you for embracing the spirit of giving and, in turn, making a difference.”

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