Inspire for Life
As we wrap up our fund-raising for the children impacted by the war in Ukraine and the floods in northern NSW and Qld, we all can’t help but be saddened by the devastation in both locations, the stories of loss and hardship, and the images we are seeing daily through the news and social media channels. It certainly does give one ‘a pit in your stomach’ when we were all hoping that 2022 would bring hope and optimism back to the world.
In the flooded town of Lismore for example, which has flooded again this week, people from surrounding towns and across Australia arrived to help clean up houses, others with small boats turned up to help evacuate people and pets, a huge convoy of hay arrived from southern NSW to help feed the livestock, the people cleaning up the shops and shopping centres have been helping one another, groups of restaurateurs from other parts of the state and Victoria arrived with meals to feed the people who have been evacuated, and donations are arriving to help those in need. Out of tragedy, people can be incredibly giving and thoughtful.
From the devastation in Ukraine, there are many stories of courage, thoughtfulness and empathy. It’s hard not to be choked up when you see, hear or read:
- Images of the prams left on the railway stations for the mothers and babies arriving in Poland;
- Heroic vets who are going into Ukraine to help injured animals;
- The procession of women driving to the Ukraine border to take families to safety;
- Chefs feeding the people who have escaped Ukraine;
- An engineer who gave up his life to blow up a bridge to stop the Russian tanks from crossing; and
- The leadership of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This is a leader who has given up his business attire and is wearing khaki like his troops. One can only agree with Jessica Stillman in Inc, where she says, “And just like the rest of the world, I’ve been floored in particular by the mettle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former comedian turned politician who, when asked if he would like to be evacuated in the face of Russian threats on his life, (now) famously responded, ‘I need ammo, not a ride’”.
Adam Grant, an Organisational Psychologist, beautifully sums up the President’s leadership in ‘Ukraine’s President Stands for More Than Charisma and Courage’ (Adam Grant Thinks Again, 28 Feb):
Charisma attracts attention. Courage earns admiration. But commitment to a group is what inspires loyalty. We follow the leaders who fight for us – and we make sacrifices for the leaders who serve us.
Zelensky is more than a lion who has found his roar. He’s a lion protecting his pride.
In our little part of the world, we can be incredibly grateful that we have some sense of normalcy, with students back at school and doing many of the activities they love out of school as well. We are sure there are many stories in your homes of your child/ren raising money over the past 3 weeks. These are the little (and big) things that make us so proud and give us so much hope for the future. Here are some examples of these inspiring stories.
Isabel C (Y3) has raised money by making 2 types of bookmarks to sell.
Florence N (Y2), Matilda N (Y4) and Amelia D (Y3) joined together with neighbours and siblings to host a fundraising cupcake drive, raising $399.55
Jez C (Y5) on his own, baked Choc chip cookies following a YouTube tutorial and sold them to neighbours in the street. He then made another batch and sold them at church. So far, he has raised $90. So many people donated more than the cookie price and Jez is very grateful for the money that people have donated.
Lara R (Y2) and Sebastian R (Y4) created a lucky dip competition to raise money for the kids in the Ukraine as part of the school's fundraising initiative. They have spent a whole day knocking on doors around Maroubra and raised nearly $100 between the two of them so far.
Juliet F (Y3), Lily L-P (Y3), Alastair L-P (Y5) and Indigo E (Y5) raised $158.45 by selling second hand books in the car park after swimming.
Ariana C (Y1) is usually shy, but was so confident in helping raise funds to help the Ukrainian community and people affected by the floods. Her Mum was very proud to see her talk to people all on her own.
Jacob L (Y2) made bookmarks and sold it to friends at our church weekend away.
And last week we shared how Marnie L raised money by creating a lucky dip that she took along to her Little Athletics State Championships at Olympic Park.
To these children and ALL of the Claremont children who have been raising money for others in need… you all INSPIRE US FOR LIFE.
If you still would like to donate, please do this on Monday at the latest, as we would like to send the money raised off to the two charities before the end of term. Those being:
- Save The Children (www.savethechildren.org) – for the children caught up in the Ukraine war; and
- Australian Red Cross (www.redcross.org.au) – for the NSW and Queensland flood appeal.
Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Wishing everyone a weekend where we can all count our blessings.
Janelle Ford
Co-Principal
