Can they get there? Yes, they can
Schools
Collecting more than 1000 cans and non-perishable food items was a case of child's play for a school in Millicent.
How do you collect more than 1000 cans and non-perishable food items when you are a school with just 169 students?
This was the question faced by Sam Baxter, APRIM at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Millicent earlier this year. He decided putting a strong focus on student leadership and community outreach was the way forward to aid the Vinnies winter appeal.
“I believed it was essential for our students to be the driving force behind this initiative, and they rose to the challenge with passion and purpose,” Sam said.
“Planning began all the way back in Term 1, when our student representative council – made up of class representatives from Years 2 to 6 – and our senior student leaders came together to brainstorm how we could make a meaningful impact.”
The goal they chose was 1000 cans.
“Our students were determined and their belief in the generosity of our community proved well-founded. Not only did we reach our goal, we surpassed it,” he said with the school community donating 1351 food items to support local families doing it tough this winter.
To add to the can drive, a Winter Warmers campaign was launched, inviting families to donate new warm clothing, gloves, scarves and beanies and which brought in 110 additional 110 items.
“One family even donated more than 35 handmade beanies, lovingly crafted by their nanna,” said Sam.
“As a Mercy school, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, social justice and outreach are at the heart of who we are.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for their leadership, compassion, and commitment to making a difference.”
