YOUNG people shared the festive spirit by taking part in the Communities for Children Murraylands Christmas tree decorating challenge facilitated by ac.care.
Students from schools and kindergartens decorated white Christmas trees with themes of their choice, celebrating the festive season while being encouraged to practice team work, creativity and planning.
“The ac.care Communities for Children Murraylands team loved seeing the creativity of the decorated trees,” senior program manager Teresa O’Brien said.
“A big thank you to all of the children, teachers and support staff involved.”
Decorating of the trees allowed activities to continue across the community despite COVID-19 restrictions and one particular contribution and the story behind its creation was a highlight for ac.care.
The year 4/5 class at Meningie Area School wrote letters and made cards and gifts for residents of the local aged care accommodation facility Jallarah Homes throughout the year.
They had been unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions, but were able to learn about differences and similarities between the generations, as well as exploring kindness and gratitude, through correspondence.
Their tree was decorated with special messages written by the students, as well as homemade recycled items, which were presented to the residents.
The year 4/5 students received a prize pack of board games they planned to share and play with the residents in 2021.
Christmas trees used for the campaign were donated by Big W through ac.care’s partnership with national charity Good360, which facilitates redirection of surplus goods from retailers to not-for-profit organisations.
Communities for Children Murraylands is facilitated by ac.care and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.