It is a yearly tradition that the students of St. Brigid’s Primary School march down to the Healesville Uniting Church to help pack 150 Christmas hampers for those in need. This year was no exception.
On Friday 28. November, dozens of year six hands got to work assembling hampers under the careful supervision and guidance from the volunteers of Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc (HICCI).
Executive Officer at HICCI Alison Gommers said, “It is an annual tradition for the grade sixes of St. Brigid’s to come down and pack the 150 hampers.”
“It is all about giving back to the community and it promotes HICCI as well, so it is a really lovely thing,” she said.
Featuring ham, a Christmas cake and pudding, the hampers also included custard, and bon bons, among other items.
The hamper items have been donated by a range of churches and the local community, with the Healesville Lions Club donating the Christmas cakes.
Alison anticipates many new hamper registrants this year, due to rising cost of living pressures.
“We recognise that more people are struggling that may not have struggled before with the increase in costs,” Alison said.
“For them to receive a hamper they just need to call us up at HICCI and register or come in in the morning between 9:30 and 2:00pm from 1. December.”
“We also have a toy shop that is available for children up to the age of 16.”
To collect items from the toy shop, families can visit HICCI between 9:30 and 2pm.
“The Lilydale Valley Views Retirement Village came this week with two carloads of toys and over 500 dollars worth of vouchers,” Alison said.
“The Yarra Ranges Council has also donated 50 family vouchers for the local Healesville outdoor pool,” she said.
Alison noted that the volunteers at HICCI look forward to the annual arrival of the St. Brigid’s year sixes.
“It’s great to have them help us and we keep an eye on them because sometimes they get a bit excited and run around with the items,” Alison said.
“We set everything up and make sure that every hamper is getting the right items.”
Year Six Student and Ministry leader at St. Brigid’s Flynn said, “Today we are here packing hampers for those who are in need of some help over the Christmas month. “
“Putting together the hampers gets us involved with the community, helping others, and teaches us some good valuable life lessons like how to care for others,” Flynn said.
Year Six Student at St. Brigid’s Harriet also attended Friday’s annual hamper packing session.
“I really enjoy the hamper packing. They get really heavy at the end though,” Harriet said.
“I find it fun and I like that we are helping the community, which is really important,” she said.
“Sometimes we forget because you can’t always see that people might need some help.”
