Janice Challinor, Community Development Subcommittee, Glebe Society Bulletin March 2021

The Glebe Society Christmas Appeal provided several gifts for many individuals living in supported accommodation in Glebe last year, and children undertaking programs at the Glebe PCYC, despite the restrictions COVID placed on the collection and distribution process. The wonderful generosity of the staff of Chris O’Brien’s Lifehouse, without whom the appeal would be much less successful, complemented the donations of Glebe Society members significantly.

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Christmas gifts (photo: Chris O’Brien Lifehouse)

Altogether we were able to deliver several gifts each to 81 children of parents at the following: Elsie Women and Children’s Refuge, Rainbow Lodge, Detour House and the Girls’ Refuge, Katherine York and those children engaged in Glebe PCYC development programs.

There were also many donations of personal care items and small luxuries for the 25 adults living at the facilities. It also deserves to be noted that there were sufficient gifts to be given to all of the 40 plus children of men engaged with the Rainbow Lodge Outreach program, and there is a large box of educational games, books and stationery items awaiting delivery to Centipede at Glebe Public School when the school term commences.

This community caring initiative demonstrates the generosity of all who engaged in 2020, including several individuals who offered to ‘shop late to fill in the gaps’ when we had sorted and allocated gifts and knew where the shortages might be. As there were no age or gender groups not well catered for, these good folks were asked to consider giving a cash donation to Centipede at Glebe Public School, for whom we were unable to run our annual fundraiser in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.

It is a privilege to be able to facilitate this community caring initiative, and I would like to personally thank all who contributed in whatever capacity to this annual activity.