Christmas Appeal 2025
Welcome to the Christmas Appeal 2025
During what should be a time of joy and celebration, Vinnies is expecting an increase in the number of people turning to the Society for support.
This year, we are focusing on the devastating and unrelenting impacts of cost of living and the immediate, practical and emotional support the St Vincent de Paul Society can provide to help people get back on their feet.
At Vinnies, our dedicated Members, volunteers and staff work tirelessly to address the challenging realities faced by many Australians on a daily basis. Materials and funds raised through the Christmas Appeal allow the Society to respond to the growing demand for support and to restore joy this festive season.
We invite your school community to join us in participating in the 2025 Vinnies Christmas Appeal.
- Christmas Appeal Schools Kit – a dedicated kit for the 2025 Christmas Appeal including a Case Study, statistics around this year’s theme and a range of classroom activities to help support your school’s campaign
- How to Give – for everything you need to know about how to donate, check out this explainer
- Schools Poster to promote the Christmas Appeal in your school community
- Social Tile to promote the Christmas Appeal on your school’s social media platforms
- Certificate of Appreciation – A Vinnies Member or your Schools/Youth Engagement Officer would be happy to present in person.
Contact us
Our staff and Members can also give presentations and talks about the cost-of-living crisis and inspire the community to give to your school’s local Appeal. If you’re not in touch already, see list below to find the contact email for your region:
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- Armidale: armidaleyouth@vinnies.org.au
- Bathurst: bathurst@vinnies.org.au
- Broken Bay: metroschools@vinnies.org.au
- Greater Western Sydney (Parramatta Diocese & Auburn area): Christmas Appeal Information | metroschools@vinnies.org.au
- Lismore: lismoreyouth@vinnies.org.au
- Maitland/Newcastle: mnyouth@vinnies.org.au
- Sydney: metroschools@vinnies.org.au
- Wagga Wagga: svdpwagga@vinnies.org.au
- Wilcannia Forbes: wcfsvdp@vinnies.org.au
- Wollongong: wollongongyouth@vinnies.org.au
Don’t forget to share your Christmas Appeal pictures and stories by tagging us on your school’s socials!
Thank you so much for your school’s support of the 2025 Vinnies Christmas Appeal.
From all the NSW Vinnies Schools/Youth Team, we wish you a happy and safe Christmas season.
If you or anyone in your school community requires support from Vinnies, please call 13 18 12.
Christmas Appeal 2025 Video
Vinnies Service Medallion
About the Vinnies Service Medallion
The Vinnies Service Medallion (VSM) is a state‑wide program that recognises secondary students (Years 7–12) for their commitment to community service, leadership, advocacy and social justice. It provides a simple, flexible way for young people to make a real difference while being formally acknowledged for their contribution.
Through hands‑on experiences with Vinnies initiatives, students develop empathy, confidence and practical skills as they learn about issues such as poverty, inequality and community resilience. The program encourages students to grow as leaders and active citizens who create positive change in their school and wider community.
The VSM is open and accessible to all secondary students across NSW. Young people can participate through their school or sign up independently, and there is no cost to be involved.
Our Vision
That all young people are afforded equal opportunities and are not limited by their geographic, socio‑economic or religious backgrounds.
The VSM is intentionally inclusive, removing barriers to participation and welcoming diverse experiences and pathways.
Christmas Appeal 2024
Welcome to our Christmas Appeal schools page!
During what should be a time of joy and celebration, Vinnies is expecting an increase in the number of people turning to the Society for support.
This year, we are focusing on the devastating and unrelenting impacts of cost of living and the immediate, practical and emotional support the St Vincent de Paul Society can provide to help people get back on their feet.
At Vinnies, our dedicated Members, volunteers and staff work tirelessly to address the challenging realities faced by many Australians on a daily basis. Materials and funds raised through the Christmas Appeal allow the Society to respond to the growing demand for support and to restore joy this festive season.
We invite your school community to join us in participating in the 2024 Vinnies Christmas Appeal.
- Christmas Appeal Schools Kit – a dedicated kit for the 2024 Christmas Appeal including a Case Study, statistics around this year’s theme and a range of classroom activities to help support your school’s campaign
- How to Give – for everything you need to know about how to donate, check out this two-page explainer
- Schools Posters to promote the Christmas Appeal in your school community
- The 2024 Christmas Card Competition visit this page to find out how to enter
- Social Tile to promote the Christmas Appeal on your school’s social media platforms
- Video focusing on the Christmas Appeal case study
- Certificate of Appreciation – A Vinnies Member or your Youth Engagement Officer would be happy to present in person.
Contact us
Our staff and Members can also give presentations and talks about the cost-of-living crisis and inspire the community to give to your school’s local Appeal. If you’re not in touch already, see list below to find the contact email for your region:
-
- Armidale: armidaleyouth@vinnies.org.au
- Bathurst: bathdio@vinnies.org.au
- Broken Bay: metroschools@vinnies.org.au
- Greater Western Sydney: metroschools@vinnies.org.au
- Lismore: lismoreyouth@vinnies.org.au
- Maitland/Newcastle: mnyouth@vinnies.org.au
- Sydney: metroschools@vinnies.org.au
- Wagga Wagga: svdpwagga@vinnies.org.au
- Wilcannia Forbes: wcfsvdp@vinnies.org.au
- Wollongong: wollongongyouth@vinnies.org.au
For general enquiries, please email: vinnies.youthnsw@vinnies.org.au
Thank you so much for your school’s support of the 2024 Vinnies Christmas Appeal.
From all the NSW Vinnies Youth Team, we wish you a happy and safe Christmas season!
Don’t forget to share your Christmas Appeal pictures and stories by tagging us on your school’s socials!
From the Heart Schools Kit
From the Heart Schools Kit
Social Justice Learning resource for Vinnies School Students
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has developed this learning resource for two reasons:
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- Vinnies NSW accepts the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s invitation and is proud to support its calls for a National Voice to Parliament
- The Uluru Statement From the Heart is a social justice campaign. Secondary School students may increase their social justice awareness by learning about this historic campaign and putting their awareness into action.
This educational resource has been put together for secondary students who are affiliated with the Vinnies through their High School Conference work or Social Justice groups.
This resource is free and available for anyone to use.
We recommended visiting the Uluru Statement From the Heart campaign website for further education and as the main source of truth.
The From the Heart Schools Kit is made up of:
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- Facilitator Overview: Learn more about the From the Heart Schools Kit, topics covered, suggested delivery methods and curriculum links
- School Workshop PowerPoint Presentation: Learn about the Uluru Statement From the Heart and why the St Vincent de Paul Society is supporting this campaign; systemic racism and the referendum; Vinnies Youth supporting the Uluru Statement and what your school group can do!
- Student Workbook: Participate in reflection questions and pledge to take action!
- How to Meet People Where They Are Activity: Learn more about the act of mutually respectful conversing and enhance your advocacy skills
- First Australians Activity: Social justice resource to increase awareness about First Australians
- Persuasive Letter Planning: Learn how to plan out and structure a persuasive letter
- Uluru Statement Explainer: Develop a deeper understanding about the Uluru Statement From the Heart and what it entails
- Why Vinnies Supports the Uluru Statement: Learn about the Society’s positioning on the Uluru Statement
- Uluru Statement Resource List: Explore a wider range of reputable sources of information about the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the First Nations Voice to Parliament.
Homelessness Educational Resources
8 Resources On Homelessness That'll Get You Informed And Inspired.
1. An inside look at what it’s like to experience homelessness.
Check out ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’, an interesting SBS program that encourages people with security and safety to consider what it is like to live without. It includes interactive videos and classroom activities.
2. Interactive snapshot on the stats.
Get a snapshot of where the highest rates of homelessness are across Australia and see whether homelessness if increasing or decreasing in your area. This site offers some clear nationwide stats to help start conversations about why homelessness may occur more (or less) in certain regions. Check out the 20 regions with the highest rate of homelessness for a start.
3. An online game that illustrates cost of living stressors.
It’s a US resource but it gets a strong point across – it’s hard to make it through the week when you’re living on the poverty line.
4. A nice clip from a young woman who was helped by Vinnies.
Hear from a young woman who found herself pregnant when she was homeless. Hear how Vinnies was able to help get her family back on track.
5. A Vinnies soup van hero.
How Vinnies Vans help people of all backgrounds who have fallen on hard times, providing conversation, a warm meal and drinks to people in need.
6. How could Australia learn from Finland’s solution to homelessness?
A quick article about the Housing First solution to homelessness and consider if this could work in Australia.
7. How two young people made a difference.
Two young guys saw an issue and decided to help make a difference. They stuck a washing machine and a dryer in the back of an old van so they could take to the streets and offer a mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness.
8. Household expenditure and how it can lead to homelessness
The Society’s National CEO Dr John Falzon talks about financial stress on Australian households and issues of poverty and inequality. It’s a quick six minute video that touches on current issues facing communities across Australia.
Additional resources that are too good to leave out!
Snapshot of key census data on unemployment and financial stress across NSW: http://www.justreinvest.org.au/jr-calculator/
Video & article: Former homeless youths record their road to recovery
Video & article: What is life really like on the streets when you’re experiencing homelessness
Video & article: Homeless in summer and the struggle to find shade and water
Article: Growing number of older Australians facing homelessness
Interactive presentation: Hobson’s Choice
