Helping those in need

Published: 15 January 2012

Soap collection: Mini Vinnies from St Augustine's Parish Primary School, Currumbin Waters, with their annual Papua Week Appeal donations that included 1906 cakes of soap

THE 2011 Mini Vinnies at St Augustine's Parish Primary School, Currumbin Waters, helped set a new school record.

Principal Stephen Montgomery said the Mini Vinnies had done a great job motivating fellow students to donate 1906 cakes of soap for the annual Papua Week Appeal, breaking the previous school record of 1815 bars.

Each year the school's Mini Vinnies co-ordinate the appeal in the lead-up to Christmas and collect clothes, books, education resources and the much sought-after soap for a community in Papua New Guinea.

St Vincent de Paul Society St Augustine's Conference president Keith Preston congratulated the Mini Vinnies on a successful year.

"Leading the school community in various fundraising activities, members were successful in providing very good contributions to Project Compassion, the Missions, St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal and the 'Assist-A-Student' program," Mr Preston said.

He said the annual Papua New Guinea appeal was a resounding success as evident from the record-breaking soap collection.

"Peter Richards, from (the St Vincent de Paul Society's) Overseas Development (committee) was delighted that he could not load all the goods provided into his van and had to return to collect the rest for shipment to PNG, in due course," he said.

Mr Preston said it was not all work and no play for the Mini Vinnies who also interacted and shared experiences with elderly residents at the local RSL retirement home.

"The final concert provided by members delighted the residents and they can't stop talking about 'their friends' from St A's," he said.

Mr Preston said he hoped that, as the Mini Vinnies members progressed through life, they would draw on the experiences shared and remember that as Christians it was their duty to help those in need.

"I thank the school community, parents and friends who so willingly supported our Mini Vinnies in their activities," he said.

"May you all enjoy a happy and holy Christmas season."