The St. Paul’s Vinnies got underway early in preparation for Christmas again this year through assisting the Richmond St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal. The Christmas hampers are put together on an annual basis by the conference to go out to people and families in need in the community. According to Jo Coman, Secretary for the Richmond Conference, “Each year the Society makes up and delivers these delicious and festive hampers to those people/families less fortunate in our community and they are so thankful and delighted to receive them. The hampers mean such a lot to those that receive them, especially the children over the Christmas period”.

Both St. Paul’s Primary School and Garin College get on board with assisting the Christmas Hamper Appeal by holding food drives to collect non-perishable food items to put into the hampers. The St. Paul’s Vinnies also assist by creating Christmas cards to put with each of the hampers. The number of recipients on the list grew last year to sixty members in the community receiving a hamper and so the Vinnies were kept busy creating just as many Christmas cards to meet demand. This year they have also added their own special gift of a little bag of Reindeer Sprinkle inside each card to help guide Santa’s reindeer to the homes of the recipients. We hope our glitter decorated oatmeal treats will attract those hungry reindeer but even if they don’t, we can be sure they will at least add a little fun and novelty in spreading Christmas cheer.