On the first weekend of December, 10 boys from Johnstone House and 10 boys from Kelynack house took part in a Candle Bag Packing initiative for Oasis at the Big W warehouse in Hoxton Park. The bags were packed with a variety of donated supplies that will be sold at Carols in the Domain on the 19 December to raise funds for Oasis. We began by packing bags, which was done in a very orderly and efficient way, similar to a conveyer belt made of people. The bags were then tied and placed in a large cardboard container for moving.

I think personally, this experience has opened up my eyes into understanding the effort and sacrifice people make for a cause bigger than themselves. Packing these bags was not an easy job and it makes you appreciate how much time and effort many of the regular volunteers give up to help homeless youths – a major problem in Australia. As a group, we packed 1,274 packs setting a new record, which emphasised to me how a group of boys can make a difference.

Each pack is worth $100 and sold for $15, so in around three and a half hours by midday we helped oasis raise $19,110 worth of goods. What surprised me the most was how humble and happy the part time and full time volunteers were. It was ironic that the people running the program (mainly volunteers) were thanking us, when they were the ones who go out of their way to make a difference all the time, and don’t get praise. Overall, I believe that this was a great experience in which we all learnt something. I urge the younger years to give it a go when they get the chance.

John Ward (10/JN)