ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE RELEASE
Wednesday 3 July 2013
Sarah Melenhorst
WITH the shared heritage and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity, St Columba’s College students continue to provide assistance for Sister Francesca Healy Cottage, also affectionately known as The Cottage.
The Cottage is a supportive environment where people experiencing homelessness can prepare for medical treatment or recover from illness. It is the only facility of its kind in Australia.
St Columba’s students recently presented The Cottage with hampers of tea, coffee, milo and biscuits as well as socks and beanies, in order to alleviate the struggle of those less fortunate than themselves.
A lot of thought went into creating and sourcing the goods for the hampers, with St Columba’s Cunningham House Leader, Joan Dillon OAM saying the girls aimed to collect goods that would be of use to the people who seek assistance from The Cottage throughout the year.
“Our latest batch of hampers includes the kinds of simple essentials you’d have in your basic kitchen,” Joan said.
“They’ll be really handy for patients who might be moving on from The Cottage and into a new home, but don’t necessarily have the means to get the basics we take for granted.”
In recent years, St Columba’s students have also raised enough money to help purchase a water tank for The Cottage garden and buy wool which St Columba’s staffs were able to knit into 200 beanies for The Cottage patients.
Byron Lazarides, manager of The Cottage, said that demonstrating to the St Columba’s girls what The Cottage provides really got the students thinking about the social and health issues that surround homelessness.
“You can see this philosophy is being passed down to the students and they’re responding in a really practical way that makes a difference to others,” Byron said.
“We can’t thank Joan and the girls enough for their interest and ongoing support.”
Photo and article courtesy of St Columba's College, Essendon
Practicing the tradition of Charity
Wednesday 3 July 2013Sarah Melenhorst
WITH the shared heritage and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity, St Columba’s College students continue to provide assistance for Sister Francesca Healy Cottage, also affectionately known as The Cottage.
The Cottage is a supportive environment where people experiencing homelessness can prepare for medical treatment or recover from illness. It is the only facility of its kind in Australia.
St Columba’s students recently presented The Cottage with hampers of tea, coffee, milo and biscuits as well as socks and beanies, in order to alleviate the struggle of those less fortunate than themselves.
A lot of thought went into creating and sourcing the goods for the hampers, with St Columba’s Cunningham House Leader, Joan Dillon OAM saying the girls aimed to collect goods that would be of use to the people who seek assistance from The Cottage throughout the year.
“Our latest batch of hampers includes the kinds of simple essentials you’d have in your basic kitchen,” Joan said.
“They’ll be really handy for patients who might be moving on from The Cottage and into a new home, but don’t necessarily have the means to get the basics we take for granted.”
In recent years, St Columba’s students have also raised enough money to help purchase a water tank for The Cottage garden and buy wool which St Columba’s staffs were able to knit into 200 beanies for The Cottage patients.
Byron Lazarides, manager of The Cottage, said that demonstrating to the St Columba’s girls what The Cottage provides really got the students thinking about the social and health issues that surround homelessness.
“You can see this philosophy is being passed down to the students and they’re responding in a really practical way that makes a difference to others,” Byron said.
“We can’t thank Joan and the girls enough for their interest and ongoing support.”
Photo and article courtesy of St Columba's College, Essendon
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
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