Winter Appeal Brings Comfort, Dignity and Hope
The generosity of the Santa Maria College community was celebrated at our Outreach Mass today, marking the conclusion of this year’s Winter Appeal.
Throughout the term, students, families, staff and alumni came together to support those experiencing hardship during the colder months. Through donations and online purchase packs, the community demonstrated a shared commitment to living our Mercy values of Compassion and Service.
Supporting Those Most in Need
This year’s Winter Appeal supported three organisations that provide vital assistance to vulnerable members of our community:
- St Patrick’s Community Support Centre, which provides housing and specialist support services for people facing homelessness.
- St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies), which offers a wide range of services including emergency housing, homelessness support, disaster recovery assistance, food relief and home visitation programs.
- The Shopfront, a drop-in and referral centre offering hospitality, friendship and practical support to people in need.
The donations collected will help these organisations meet the increasing demand for essential items and ensure individuals and families facing difficult circumstances receive practical support throughout winter.
A Community Making a Difference
In addition to the red bags collected in Homerooms, the Santa Maria community donated a significant number of essential support packs through the online Winter Appeal. Families and alumni generously contributed:
- 32 Warm Meal Packs
- 21 Care Packs
- 14 Warm Bed Packs
- 34 Rest & Warmth Packs
Together with the 230 red bags donated across the College, these contributions will provide practical support, comfort and dignity to people experiencing hardship this winter.
Service Learning Coordinator Liz van der Zanden said the response to this year’s appeal reflected the remarkable generosity that exists within the Santa Maria community.
“This year’s Winter Appeal has reflected the remarkable generosity of our school, with families, alumni and staff giving selflessly to support those experiencing hardship. The response to the online purchase packs this year demonstrated our community’s strong commitment to caring for others.”
The impact of these donations extends well beyond the day of collection. Representatives from the agencies have shared that their cupboards are sometimes nearly bare, making support from our community especially valuable.
“Our contributions help replenish essential supplies and enable them to continue supporting those who rely on their services,” Liz said.
Learning Through Service
Beyond the practical support provided, the Winter Appeal offers students an important opportunity to put their faith into action and develop a deeper understanding of service.
“Through participating in initiatives like the Winter Appeal, students learn the importance of empathy and compassion for others. They understand that small actions, when combined, can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people experiencing hardship,” Liz said.
The Outreach Mass provided a meaningful opportunity for the College community to reflect on the impact of collective action and celebrate the generosity shown throughout the appeal.
A Student Perspective
For Service Captain Olivia, the Winter Appeal was an opportunity to put faith into action.
“Being involved in the Winter Appeal is always a meaningful experience because it gives me the opportunity to put the Mercy value of Service into action. As the Sisters of Mercy intended, living a merciful life means reaching out to those in need with compassion and kindness. Contributing to the appeal allowed me and many others to support members of our community who may be facing challenges during winter.”
Participating in the appeal also deepened Olivia’s understanding of the importance of outreach and caring for others.
“It has reinforced how significant outreach is by encouraging me to look beyond my own circumstances and to consider how I can make a positive difference in the lives of others. The appeal showed me that by living a life of service, we can support those who need it most.”
Thank You
Liz expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to this year’s appeal.
“Thank you to the Santa Maria community for the incredible generosity shown through this year’s Winter Appeal. Your kindness and willingness to support those in need has made a real and tangible difference to the work of local agencies. Every contribution has helped bring comfort, dignity and hope to individuals and families during a difficult time.”
Together, we continue to live our Mercy values, demonstrating that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.
- Community Service, Featured, Mercy Values, outreach mass, Santa Maria College, Service Learning, Shopfront Perth, St Patrick's Community Support Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society, Student Leadership, winter appeal
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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