A Season of Giving and Remembering The Homeless

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called "Mormons") joined representatives of other community organisations recently in the Sydney suburb of Mortdale to assemble care packs for homeless individuals.

At a reception the assembled 600 gift boxes were given to Mr David Coleman, Federal Member of Parliament, who then presented them to local charities: St George-Sutherland Post Settlement Forum Domestic Violence Action Group, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, and Community Hands & Feet of Concord. 

Altogether, nineteen local organisations including hospitals and refuges participated, either as givers or recipients of the gift boxes. Children from Arncliffe Public School also collected items for donation over a two-month period and held a special assembly at their school for the presentation of their completed boxes to the recipient organizations.

Ms. Gaya Dharmagesan, team leader at Advance Diversity Services, commented that her work focuses on the prevention of violence and trauma. She urged those at the reception to “continue doing what you do” to help the most vulnerable members of the community.

Founder of Community Hands and Feet, Mr Joe Brown, said, "My vision is to see no one makes their bed on the streets of Sydney and every struggling family is supported and helped."

Mr David Coleman stated, “It is comforting that we have people who are willing to help the community… It was a significant day for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints.”

President Philip Barton of the Mortdale Stake summarized the feelings of the participants with this quote, John 13:34, from the Bible, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."