The social justice focus for this term is to support and raise money for local organisations. The two organisations we are supporting are Karinya House and Home in Queanbeyan. St Edmund’s College has built a strong relationship and connection to these two organisations for close to 25 years.
Karinya House for Mothers and Babies provides supported accommodation, transitional housing and outreach services to pregnant and parenting women and their families who are in crisis. Home in Queanbeyan, provides long-term supported accommodation for 20 adults with chronic mental illness who are homeless or cannot live independently.
This year our scriptural theme animates the touchstone of Justice and Solidarity. It challenges us to stir each other to love, which enables positive relationships and good works for others to make the world a better place.
There are two more fundraising events for the boys to participate in, to help reach the target of $5,000 or more.
Mufti day 16th Sept
The fundraising efforts will conclude, on September 16th with a gold coin or note donation mufti day.
Sleepout 16th Sept- 7pm in gym until 7am Sept 17th.
Students Years 4-12 are being invited to take part in the annual “Eddies sleeps out for House and Home”, boys are asked to sleep for a night in College Gymnasium to gain a very small insight into what it is like to sleep rough. On the night the boys will participate in awareness raising activities of homelessness. Students who would like to participate are asked to collect a sponsor card from Ms Cusack in the Junior School, Heads of House or from outside the Mission/RE staffroom in the senior school. Please seek sponsorship for the sleepout. If you are unable to attend the sleepout please consider sponsoring a student who will be participating on the night. Sleepout permission forms are available from Ms Cusack in the junior school and from outside the Mission/RE staffroom in the senior school.
Pledge Card 2022 LINK
Annual Sleepout permission form LINK
The money we raise will goes towards purchasing household furniture for the mothers and babies Karinya House supports, so the places of accommodation for these mums and babies can feel more like a home rather than just a place to stay. HOME in Queanbeyan has requested the money goes towards purchasing healthy food for the resident’s pantry. With the rising costs of fresh produce, it has become more difficult to ensure the residents are having healthy meals.
This fundraiser will be a House challenge with points given towards the House shield. Healthy competition between the Houses will show who is the most generous with their time and money.
So, let’s work together to support House and Home in the words of Edmund Rice
“To serve a Neighbour for the love of God, is a prize worth more than silver or gold. “
For more information on our organisations. please click below.
Home in Queanbeyan or Karinya House
Michael Monagle
Assistant Principal – Mission and Identity