By Casey Neill
Dandenong West Primary students raised more than $1400 to buy Christmas presents for children in need overseas.
They organised and held a fete at the Dandenong Baptist Church on Saturday 3 September – with help from Dandenong Baptist Church youth community worker Abby Weller.
They had aimed to bring in $1000 to deliver gifts overseas through Operation Christmas Child.
“We raised $1443 between stallholder bookings, a sausage sizzle, jumping castle, bake sale, and garage sale,” she said.
“While the morning started off cold we were very happy that the sun came out which brought with it a buzz of people.”
Ms Weller said the CFA stopped by to hold a demonstration and “the pastor at Dandenong Baptist Church was giving out Harley rides!”
The Grades 5 and 6 students who ran the day participate in Youth Unlimited, which is a weekly after-school program held at the school by volunteers.
“I’m so incredibly proud of our youth students and the way they carried themselves on the day,” Ms Weller said.
“They came excited and full of enthusiasm and I think that showed through to everyone who supported us.
“The day couldn’t have gone better.
“The next two weeks we will be working on putting our Christmas boxes together, which the kids cannot stop raving about.”
