Pride in giving

GOOD Shepherd Lutheran College’s middle and senior years students finished their Salvation Army Christmas Appeal on a high last Friday (7 November).
The students presented Christmas gifts for their “adopted” families to Lieutenant Lara Sutcliffe from the Noosa Corps of the Salvation Army.
Every student from Years 6 to 12 participated in the appeal through the college’s 24 secondary pastoral care groups, and all six classes in Years 6 and 7, with each group/class “adopting” one needy person from seven different families in the Noosa area who will be doing it tough this Christmas.
Lieutenant Sutcliffe said she was amazed by the number of gifts as she accepted them on behalf of the recipients, who range from toddlers to teenagers, through to parents.
“We are completely overwhelmed with the fantastic generosity you have shown here today and you should all be really proud of yourselves,” she said.
“It is because of your generosity these kids will wake up on Christmas morning to Santa Claus. There won’t be an empty tree – there will be hope.”
Just over three weeks ago, Lieutenant Sutcliffe visited the college to launch the Good Shepherd Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, with the help of the school’s community senior leader group. It was during this visit that she spoke to the students of the desperate need that exists within the local community at this time of year and asked them for their help in bringing Christmas to seven local families.
According to Tony Purcell, pastoral care co-ordinator at Good Shepherd, this appeal has proven to be a huge success over the past few years and a very worthwhile addition to the pastoral care program.
“As a Christian school, this is a very real demonstration of what we strive for – the core values of love, service and compassion.”