Kids helping kids
Victorian Bushfires Emergency Appeal
On Monday, 9 February 2009, SchoolAid launched an Appeal for the Victorian school communities ravaged by the recent bushfires. SchoolAid called for school communities around Australia to unite - together we have made a MASSIVE difference!
As we remember the first anniversary of the Black Saturday Bushfires which devastated Victoria, we would like to share with you the incredible impact that SchoolAid's Victorian Bushfire Appeal has had on the children affected by the fires. Your support made it possible for SchoolAid to implement programs which have generated genuine change in affected communities, helping children, schools and families rebuild their lives.
SchoolAid liaised and worked closely with the Victorian Principals Association (VPA), Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals (VASSP) and Victorian Department of Education to ensure the funds go to the schools, kids and communities most in need.
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Thank you for making a difference!
4 February 2010
How you helped:
- Five schools received year-long Australian Children's Music Foundation "Music for Hope" programs.
- A $250,000 grant to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Collaborative Philanthropy Initiative will provide sustainable and on-going funding to projects making a significant impact in the recovery, especially in education.
- $40,000 was provided to Wimmera Uniting Care to hold an Arts and Music Healing Festival for Children.
- Grants were provided to over 20 individual schools for psychosocial support, counselling, and grief and loss support.
- Messages of Hope created by children throughout Australia were compiled into a book that was distributed to affected schools.
Night of Hope
On Thursday 22 October, SchoolAid proudly hosted "A Night of Hope" in partnership with The Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, in Melbourne. This was hosted by former MP, Dr Brendan Nelson (click here to see a short video of part of Brendan Nelson's speech) and was a night to distribute the grants, celebrate the future of values based education and philanthropy and acknowledge the huge support shown by Australian schools and students for the Bushfire victims in Victoria.
SchoolAid compiled the hundreds of messages sent in by students into a "Messages of Hope" book, which was showcased at this event, and distributed to the affected schools.
Stories of Hope
A music therapy program provided by a SchoolAid grant has kicked off at Strathewen Primary School, one of the hardest hit schools in the fires. The 12 month program, run by the Australian Children's Music Foundation includes children from prep to Year 6 and gives them a chance to express themselves through songwriting and music.
Click here to watch a music video of Don Spencer, Wilbur Wilde and Strathewen kids.
Strathewen Primary School Principal, Jane Hayward said, "This program will be a fantastic opportunity for our kids to creatively share their feelings, ideas and worries and provide us with an important indication of where they are in the healing process. The kids are very excited about the program and will derive a lot of enjoyment from it."
Incredibly, the impact of the bushfires and the support that the children of Strathewen have received have had a knock-on effect. The students are planning to support SchoolAid's current Haiti Appeal, launched this month. Ms Hayward said, "It's so important for us to see the children of Strathewen feeling fortunate enough to be sharing their good fortune with others around the world. The kids feel lucky again and so want to help others."
Over $730,000 collectively raised
6 May 2009
You will be proud to know that over $730,000 has been collectively raised by our 600+ participating schools with children, teachers and principals from across Australia and also New Zealand uniting together in their support.
Appeal update
1 April 2009
Gabrielle Leigh, President of the VPA expressed her appreciation:
"Victorian educators and students are deeply moved by the level of support and care shown to us in our time of need. I feel proud to be a member of the Australian education system and I thank every single person involved in helping in the SchoolAid emergency appeal"
Over $400,000 raised
13 March 2009
United, we can make a difference!
This statement is being constantly reinforced as the total donations amount increases. Schools have collectively raised over $400,000!
$285,718.61 raised so far!
5 March 2009
Congratulations! Kids and school communities have collectively raised $285,718.61 so far!
The creativity, compassion and volume of student-led action and giving to help your peers has been outstanding!
Appeal update
11 February 2009
The team at SchoolAid have been overwhelmed by the response of the school community and stories that have started to emerge of the immediate actions of many schools. Congratulations to the students and staff for your amazing contributions so far. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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