Orana Mid-Western Police District: Officers team up with Vinnies and local schools to deliver Christmas packages to domestic violence victims

Police have teamed up with charity shops and schools to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to domestic violence survivors in a bid to help them through this festive season. Read what they are doing here.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers have teamed up with local students and a charity store to provide Christmas hampers and vouchers to domestic violence victims in need.

Staying Home Leaving Violence case manager Tracey Connell told The Dubbo News that 35 Christmas hampers had been donated from schools, including St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary School Dubbo and St Johns College Dubbo, to St Vincent de Paul Society which were then given to police.

“We then distribute those to our girls in need, together with some vouchers, to help them get through Christmas because we know it’s a very difficult time for some,” Ms Connell said.

Ms Connell said the hampers contain non-perishable goods, Christmas treats and food vouchers.

Staying Home Leaving Violence case manager Kate Hilder, Senior Constable Melissa Bennett and case manager Tracey Connell holding Christmas hampers.

She said the vouchers, accompanied with the hampers, were aimed to be used for fresh food and other supplies.

St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary School religious education co-ordinator Alicia O’Connor said the school had been donating goods to local charity shops for several years in an attempt to make Christmas easier for struggling families.

Schools are delivering hampers to Vinnies for people in need this Christmas. File Pic.

“We do a lot around the educational side of things and the children really enjoy talking about it and learning from it,” Ms O’Connor said.

“They really enjoy being able to help others who they know are struggling at this time, they know they’re very fortunate in their life … but they also realise through stories and educational programs that we have that it’s not always the case for other people.

“We like to share the spirit of Christmas with others.”