DESPITE its small size and being nestled out at the open fields of Clarke\u2019s Hill, a school\u2019s winter coat drive has attracted a huge haul of clothing.<\/p>\n
Since launching their initiative on Thursday 1 June, St Mary\u2019s Primary School students and staff have collected nearly 90 coats and about 20 beanies.<\/p>\n
Teacher, Jenny Curran, said the pupils and teachers have been \u201coverwhelmed\u201d by the response to a call for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe popped a note out on Facebook and we\u2019ve had so much support from the community where people have passed them in personally or through other families,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was amazing how many people reached out with no connection to the school.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of our Catholic social teachings, we look at ways we can support people in need just in our general day-to-day.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur students recognised that with cold Ballarat winters, gathering coats we no longer need would be a good way to support those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coat drive closed on Thursday, with items donated to St Vincent De Paul Ballarat.<\/p>\n
The initiative was spearheaded by the school\u2019s grade 4\/5\/6 leadership team, who choose a different support drive each term.<\/p>\n
St Mary\u2019s staff and students also regularly donate money to non-profit Caritas, while their previous coat drive was held a few years ago.<\/p>\n
Grade 5 student Maeve is one of the leadership team members who started the coat drive and she said it\u2019s important to be able to help people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to support people during winter,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople are struggling right now because of the cold so it\u2019s good to be able to help people out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got way more coats than what I was expecting. I brought some coats in as well because we have a lot of kids in my family.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DESPITE its small size and being nestled out at the open fields of Clarke\u2019s Hill, a school\u2019s winter coat drive has attracted a huge haul of clothing. Since launching their initiative on Thursday 1 June, St Mary\u2019s Primary School students and staff have collected nearly 90 coats and about 20 beanies. Teacher, Jenny Curran, said […]<\/p>\n