St John’s Care making a difference

Christmas is such a busy but beautiful time of year.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am currently acting in the Executive Officer position at St John’s Care, on secondment from Anglicare Youth and Family Services in the ACT. My background is youth, families and adult mental health.

I am writing this on day three. I must say I have been overwhelmed with welcomes and support from all the volunteers and staff.

I have never met such an amazing committed, dedicated and passionate group of people and can see why St John’s Care is such a success.

The Present Room has now been open for a week and a half and has bought assistance and joy to 175 families providing gifts to approximately 500 children.

This would not have been possible without the on-going generosity of our donors, supporters, volunteers, including volunteers from the Department of Education who have staffed the Present Room.

We have received this email from one of our clients:

"Please pass on my sincere gratitude to all for the hamper and toys from when I visited on the 5th. The bag hamper had so many lovely things like Moccona coffee that brought a big smile to me as well as other little treats that we haven't had for a long time. The toys and books I selected were also so lovely and makes such a difference to what we put under our trees for our children during tough times. Thank you again to St John’s.”

Thank you to everyone who has contributed toys, books and gift cards. Your support is amazing.

We would like to acknowledge the support and donations from various community groups, including (but not limited to) Community Options, CWA Belconnen, Woden Lyons Club, a number of Rotary Clubs and the Motorbike Riders Association of the ACT.

We would like to congratulate Richie Unga one of our Youth Workers at St John’s Care who received a Yogie award last week for ‘Outstanding Youth Worker of the year’.

Our Emergency Relief Centre will be open until 2pm on Friday 22 December and then re-open on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

Remember the SJC Christmas Day lunch will be in the St John’s Hall from 12 noon until 1.30 pm. All are welcome!

SJC wish list this week: tinned fruit, large tins of tuna, Up and Go, 1 & 2 litre long life milk cartons.

Sarah Murdoch

Acting Executive Officer

#Christmas #generosity #hamper #donations