Back-to-school gift aids needy

Sydney
3 February 2002

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Back-to-school gift aids needy

By Kathleen Carmody

More families struggling to meet back-to-school costs will receive help from the St Vincent de Paul Society because of a $37,000 corporate gift.

Work Directions Australia, a national employment, training and human services company, made the $37,000 donation in recognition of the importance of Vinnies to the community.

Each of the company's 37 offices is donating $1000 to its local Vinnies centre in NSW, Queensland and Victoria to help with the back-to-school needs of needy families.

Therese Rein, of Work Directions, said: "While every day the St Vincent de Paul Society helps over 4,000 people across Australia, we recognise that the Christmas/ New Year period is a time when Vinnies' resources are stretched to the limit to help the needy."

The Queensland State president of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Tim O'Connor, said that the donation was most welcome. The society had already received an increase in the number of calls for help.

"This time of year is particularly hard as on top of back-to-school costs, families are still getting over the extra expenses generated over the Christmas/New year period," he said.

"Need is particularly strong among sole parents trying to supply their kids with new uniforms and shoes, school bags, books, lunch boxes and stationery.

"We estimate that it can cost some $300 to fit out a primary school student. That's $300 that many families just don't have up their sleeve."

Ms Rein said that her company was proud to play a part in helping Vinnies and spoke highly of the society's involvement in the community.

"Vinnies does a magnificent job helping destitute families, elderly people, the homeless, migrants and the unemployed," she said.

The St Vincent de Paul Society would be grateful to receive other corporate or community donations.

Contributions can be made through any Vinnies centre or by calling 131 812. Archbishop Carroll to preach at city service

The chairman of the Australian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Frank Carroll, who is Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, will preach at St James Anglican Church, King St, Sydney, on Sunday, March 3, at a 7.30pm service to bless and welcome the Rev John Henderson as general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

Mr Caesar D'Mello will be commissioned as director of Christian World Service at the same time.

Mr Henderson, a Lutheran pastor, succeeds the Rev David Gill.