Students meet the needs of others

BEACONHILLS College students joined the spirit of Christmas when they donated gifts to Operations Christmas Child for distribution to needy children.
Students from the Valley Campus, Pakenham, collected more than 60 shoeboxes filled with donated gifts for Operation Christmas Child, a project of the Samaritan’s Purse.
They held an empty Christmas tree appeal and received more than 250 gifts for Cottage by the Sea.
Cottage by the Sea, at Queenscliff, was established in 1890 to provide care and accommodation for children recovering from serious illness.
The children who visit are either emotionally, socially or physically disadvantaged and from families who may be undergoing trauma.
Chairperson of the giving and service program, Judy Barton, said Beaconhills placed strong emphasis on experiencing the joy of giving to others and learning that ‘it was better to give than to receive’.
“We generally get so much at Christmas and it really is most important that we pause, reflect and stop to think about how fortunate we are to be able to celebrate this Christian festival with our family and friends,” she said.