Warming hearts and homes

On the first day of the drive, a group of students arrived at St Mary’s Parish Hall to donate the first round of blankets and coats, with the school planning to continue collecting donations to drop off during the month.

Deputy principal Brent Anstee and family and community liaison Tegan Reid came with the students to drop off the donations, and said they have loved getting behind the cause.

“Everyone’s been really excited,” Mr Anstee said.

“Lots of people within our school have been keen to donate and help the cause.)

“At the moment we’ve just dropped off our first collection, so it will continue, and we’ll keep pushing on all our socials and encouraging our classrooms throughout the next month and do more drops,” Ms Reid said.

The annual drive has been collecting donations from the community every winter for the past 10 years, and for the past eight it has been operating out of St Mary’s Parish Hall.

Echuca Moama Community Projects coordinator Julie Langdon said the contribution from the school and the community has been wonderful.

“We probably receive 300 to 400 coats every year,” she said.

“This is [St Mary’s Primary School’s] first year being involved, as they wanted to do something for the community.”

Donations can be made every Thursday from 10am to 2pm for the month of June, so now’s the time to donate and help those doing it tough this winter.

“I’m just trying to reach out to those that are really struggling with trying to keep warm and excessive power bills, so if they can throw an extra blanket on the bed and turn the heater down, it’s a win-win,” Ms Langdon said.

“If you know of a neighbour who’s doing it tough, let them know that they’re welcome to come down and get something.”