Red Shield Appeal - Sunday May 24

Some 65 students along with a good group of staff and friends made their contribution to the College’s Faith In Action program by supporting the Red Shield Appeal. They took to the streets of Shoal Water and Safety Bay on a brilliant Sunday morning…
The College’s Red Shield Appeal Coordinator Mr Johnny Ho did a terrific job to prepare the paper work, the signs, and the strategic plan for the day. The fact that the student appeal worked exceptionally well was tribute to Mr Ho’s work. Our Service Team leader Mrs Maire Carlin filled in all the other bits and pieces to help make the day run smoothly.

After meeting at the Safety Bay Yacht club for a breakfast of muffins made at school the previous Friday, the group spread out across their allocated areas. The bus drivers in Mr Robin Giles, Mr Ron Johnson, Deputy Principal Jeff Allen and Mr Noburo Hagiwara dropped the students off at their allocated streets. The students dress sense was impeccable as they enthusiastically began door knocking for a great cause. There was a mixture of younger and older students, leaders and followers, shy ones, noisy ones but all with one purpose – setting Faith in Action to help others.

After collecting for the better part of three hours the students re-assembled at the Salvation Army in Cooloongup. There the students were welcomed by Captain Lance Jeffrey and praised for their efforts in supporting the Salvation Army’s most important fundraising activity for the year. The Salvation Army’s Chapel turned into a vault with the students counting their collected monies and enjoying a light lunch provided by the Salvation Army. As the students tallied up their collections they shared their stories of a morning, which was not like those normally experienced. As if the day did not happen, the students then dispersed as their parents arrived to take them home.

Stories of scary dogs, too much walking, too much sun and a lack of sleep with an early start soon turned into stories of generosity and the good for bearing the Cross on the day.

1. Aaron and Josh came across some really enthusiastic residents who were only too willing to donate. Stalked by a cat – having had dogs removed from doorways to talk to people – they had shared a pleasant day meeting the locals – both boys had caught up on Kolbecare hours and felt proud to represent the college in this worthwhile experience.
2. Majella and Eleanor were reflecting after their day door knocking over lunch and commented on the people and their generosity. The community was very much aware that it was the Red Shield Appeal weekend and they were prepared to give. They had felt in their way that they had made a small difference by giving of their time.
3. Shaun and Matt had an outstanding day out. They were surprised by the number of large donations, the welcoming of the people and how it was really easy to be a carrier of the cross. Mat was adamant that Shaun’s sense of humour and endearing character were significant factors to people wanting to contribute in such a generous nature.
4. Jessica, Catherine and Danielle were the young ladies who collected in excess of $214. They had enjoyed their day out and the Red Shield Appeal had certainly benefited from their teamwork.
5. Maria, Tim and Sarah were last into the lunch bay, but for a good reason: they had collected the most. This team had dominated, the knack - lots of lovely smiles, pleasant chatter, being very friendly and it made the difference. $445.55 went to the appeal courtesy of this trio.
   

The signs on the wall in the hall read as follows:

• The crowd says Honour Yourself the Cross-says Humble yourself.
• The crowd said be happy the Cross says be Holy
• The crowd says do the Cross says done…

Yes this group of Kolbe students had followed the way of the cross, at least for this morning.