Hazelwood College Team Hope Appeal

The students of Hazelwood College have been busily filling and wrapping Christmas presents for underprivileged children in Africa and Europe over the past few weeks. After watching the Team Hope film presentation in R.E. class the students responded enthusiastically with over 130 shoe boxes being packed, gift wrapped and presented for collection in the school for the local co-ordinator Kate Fitzgerald. Items in the boxes included soft toys, small items of clothing, colouring pencils, toiletries and sweet treats. This simple act of kindness will unite needy children this Christmas and bring love and hope into the bleakest of situations. ‘We were delighted with the generous response from the students and know that their efforts will undoubtedly make this Christmas a very happy and special occasion for many children in deprived countries in the world’ said Ms. Daly.

For the first time T.Y and L.CA. students volunteered to help check shoe boxes in the warehouse in Limerick City on Friday 5th and Monday 15th November. Unsuitable or dangerous items were removed from the shoe boxes such as food, medicines, war related toys, liquids, sharp items and books with words. The students were really astounded by the overwhelming kindness and generosity shown by people who filled boxes to the brim with gifts suitable for boys and girls from 2-14 yrs years of age. Mrs. Clarson added that ‘the two days spent in the warehouse in Limerick were simply wonderful. The students were informed by the supervisors to ‘respect the giver’ and to not to disturb the contents as much as possible. The atmosphere was one of service and warmth. We didn’t know what to expect but the students enjoyed the experience of helping so much that they didn’t even take their full lunch break. Enough said- what a success!’