Marymede Catholic College in South Morang has made a wonderful gesture towards vulnerable refugee families residing in Geelong.
Over the last few weeks, students collected an assortment of Christmas gifts which filled a total of 28 laundry baskets. Last week, these were transported and delivered to families during the end-of-year celebration for CatholicCare’s Settle Well program.
A group of students from Marymede also attended the celebration, where they had the chance to meet the refugee families and spend time together outdoors; playing games, chatting and sharing lunch.
‘Marymede Catholic College have responded wonderfully,’ said Jeff Wild, CatholicCare Community Engagement Coordinator. ‘The students have really enjoyed getting these gifts together and being able to share them with the refugee families.’
This isn’t the first time that Marymede Catholic College tapped into the spirit of giving for refugee families – in fact, last year they compiled 11 laundry baskets of Christmas gifts!
This year they upped their game, having donated gifts of an estimated total value of $5,000!
The day was also made possible by Barwon Health’s Community Kitchen, who prepared and cooked the lunch for the group.
‘This year it’s very exciting that we’ve been able to combine the [Settle Well] CALD Women’s Program and the Community Kitchen program as part of our end of year celebration,’ said Suzanne Harman, Health Promotion Officer at Barwon Health.
The event concluded after a brilliant performance from the Karen Choir and another from NGSC students, who performed in a traditional Karen dance style.
We would like to thank North Geelong Secondary College for co-facilitating the Settle Well program; Barwon Health for their contribution of lunch for the event; and The Fort (City of Greater Geelong) for providing a bus to get the refugee families to and from the event.
Also a big thank you to Melbourne Catholic Archbishop’s Charitable Fund, Collier Charitable Fund, the Bennelong Foundation, and private donors for providing valuable financial support to the Settle Well program.
Image: Geelong Settle Well group with Marymede Catholic College students.