Mooroopna Park Primary lends helping hand

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Some light reading: From left, volunteer Nicole Smith, school chaplin Brooke Bowles, wellbeing coordinator Lisa Hueston and principal Hayden Beaton are handing out much-needed items for the community this week at Mooroopna Park Primary School. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

It started with a simple call out on Facebook.

Mooroopna Park Primary School wellbeing co-ordinator Lisa Hueston made a post asking for the community to donate any unused items for the school’s flood donation drive.

That one post was shared multiple times, and the amount of donations skyrocketed.

“People started dropping off donations to my house and another staff member’s house, and on Saturday it took three car loads and a ute load to bring it all here — and once I got back home there were another 15 bags of items on my doorstep,” Ms Hueston said.

“It was quite incredible, really, people have been incredibly generous.”

Principal Hayden Beaton was also surprised at the amount of items that came through, saying it got to the point where they had to request no more donations.

“Guthrie St Primary also had some stuff leftover from their donation drive, so they dropped some stuff off from there and we were able to use that here, which was good,” Mr Beaton said.

“There’s been some household good donations, a massive amount of food and toiletries, as well as lots of linen and clothing donated.”

Piled high: From linen and blankets to books, toys and clothes, there are items for anyone who needs them at Mooroopna Park Primary School. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The school also handed out hampers to families in the community, thanks to several sponsors.

“We’ve had not just friends and family donate, but also people in the wider community,” Ms Hueston said.

“Some of the businesses that sponsor us as a school have helped, Mission Foods and SPC have reached out to us and people outside of Shepparton, too.

“The support that businesses, not just individuals, have shown us, has been above and beyond.”

Unfortunately, Tuesday afternoon saw heavy rain and flash flooding, which restricted the number of people able to attend.

Due to this, there are still plenty of items up for grabs, and the school is inviting anyone affected by the floods to visit the school between 9am and 3:30pm this week to take any items they need.