For the fifth year in a row, Youth In Action, the youth group of The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District St Nectarios in Sydney’s inner west, has prepared 120 Christmas hampers for refugee families to be delivered through Metro Assist on Monday, December 19.
The youth held a successful event, The Golden Years of Hollywood Trivia Night, in September this year, which raised $3,698 for this important cause, allowing the youth to shop for groceries for the hampers. Parishioners also donated additional groceries.
With this year’s contribution, Youth In Action has now delivered more than 600 hampers, spreading plenty of Christmas cheer to those in need.
“Our youth have been so committed to fundraising and preparing the hampers for refugee families for the past five years and are so passionate about this project,” St Nectarios Board Secretary/Director and Youth In Action Mentor, Christina Efthymiades, told The Greek Herald.
“It is a wonderful way to focus on the needs of those less fortunate and realise the true meaning of Christmas.”
In response to the war in Ukraine, Youth In Action also donated 220 gifts for Ukrainian children, who arrived in Australia on temporary protection visas, earlier this year.
Representatives from Youth In Action handed out the gifts at a special Christmas party hosted by the Ukrainian Council of NSW on December 10 and helped brighten the day of these children who have endured so much.
“When Metro Assist also asked if we could prepare gifts for the children who have escaped the war in Ukraine, our youth jumped at the chance to make a difference and spread some joy,” Ms Efthymiades said.
“We are so proud of their compassion, commitment and hard work.”
