Celebrating Cultural Diversity

   On Monday 8 September, the St. Joseph Vinnies had a visit from Evey McAuliffe, Coordinator for the Nelson Multicultural Council who came to speak to the Vinnies about the services the Multicultural Council offers newcomers in our area; the events they put on to celebrate cultural diversity such as the Race Unity day as well as the Speak Out website which encourages people to take note of racial incidents that may happen in the community and report these. The Nelson Multicultural Council works to help make Nelson an inviting place where everyone feels welcome.

Sweetening the Deal for the Refugee Community

   In the past couple of weeks the St. Joseph Vinnies have got underway with fundraising to assist the refugee community be able to go to Picton for a guided tour of the Interislander Ferry. Coming up with the idea of selling jelly on a Tuesday lunchtime, they have set to work jelly making on a Monday in preparation for the following day. In the first week, the jelly proved popular selling out before the Vinnies even got to the end of the line of hungry customers. Selling the jelly at 50c each, the Vinnies made a total of $30. In the second week, we upped the amount of jelly made with the fridge bulging at the seams with the huge amount. The Vinnies decided that selling the jelly for $1 was more cost effective and advertised the jelly to only half the school. A total of $50 was made with a few jellies left over to be sold on Wednesday. For the Vinnies, this has been a great learning experience not only in putting their faith into action but also learning about running a fundraiser and the best ways of going about this. Well done Vinnies in making a positive difference in the community!

Vinnies Provide Holiday Fun for Loaves and Fishes Children

   As part of the St. Joseph Vinnies outreach assistance to the children cared for by Loaves and Fishes, the Vinnies ended the term by creating marble mazes for the Loaves and Fishes children which were put into activity packs filled with books, toys and activity sheets to keep the children busy and occupied over the up-coming holidays. With the July holidays falling in the middle of Winter, depending on the weather often much time is spent indoors so we decided this was a good way of keeping the children entertained. These children come from families that don't have the money to be able to send their children to the movies or on other holiday treats therefore this was one way we could make holiday time easier and more enjoyable for the young people Loaves and Fishes cares for.

   On Monday 30 June, we had the new Loaves and Fishes co-ordinator, Alison Mountfort come to school to tell us more about what Loaves and Fishes offers the community and to be presented with our activity packs to be passed on to Miranda, the Children's Outreach Worker to distribute to these children.

 

Jo Watts Returns to Talk to the Vinnies

   On Monday 9 June, Jo Watts - the local practice nurse who goes over to the Philippines to assist with the Above Rubies Livelihood Project returned to St. Joseph's to talk to the Vinnies about her latest trip over there. While in the Philippines, Jo took a video of the women receiving the cards that we made for them at the end of last year which she was able to show us along with a slideshow of photos showing what the living conditions of the women over there is like.

   As a follow up to Jo's visit on Monday 16 June, the Vinnies had the opportunity of creating their own paper bead bracelet from the paper beads the women had created. The $4 that the girls brought along to do this activity will help the women over in the Philippines.

   Below is a photo of the girls looking at the beautiful paper bead jewelry that the Filipino women make.

 

CanTeen Visit

   On Monday 26 May, the St. Joseph Vinnies had Sally Stevens (CanTeen Coordinator) and Paige O'Shea (CanTeen President) come to visit them to talk more about the services that CanTeen offers young people with Cancer in the Nelson/Marlborough region and to be presented with the wooden hand-held hearts that the Vinnies had made in Term 1 as a symbol of love and hope that people are able to hold on to.

   Sally and Paige also brought unexpected gifts of their own in the form of a CanTeen keyring which was presented to each of the Vinnies. A big thank you to both of you!

 

Easter Treats for the Children of the Loaves and Fishes After-school Programme

   To end off the term the St. Joseph Vinnies contributed to a basket of Easter treats which were given to Simon Martin to pass on to the children of the Loaves and Fishes after-school programme.
Here’s a photo of Miranda – the Loaves and Fishes children’s outreach worker preparing the Easter treats the Vinnies donated for the Loaves and Fishes children

Mary James comes to visit the Vinnies

   On Monday 14 April, Mary James, the Social Worker for the Nelson Hospice came to visit the St. Joseph Vinnies to talk about her role in the community, how the Hospice assists people in need and to be presented with the artwork, poems and handheld hearts that the Vinnies had created throughout the term