YOUNG people have shared the festive spirit by taking part in the Communities for Children Murraylands Christmas tree decorating challenge facilitated by ac.care.
Students from schools and kindergartens decorated white Christmas trees with themes of their choice, celebrating the festive season while being encouraged to practice team work, creativity and planning. 
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Anne at Concordia Kindergarten reflects on the meaning of Christmas while decorating a tree as part of the ac.care Murraylands Communities for Children initiative.
WORKING TOGETHER: Daniel and Alexis at the Tyndale Christian School enjoyed decorating a Christmas tree with other children as part of the ac.care Murraylands Communities for Children initiative.
“The ac.care Communities for Children Murraylands team has loved seeing the creativity of the decorated trees in the pictures that we have received,” senior program manager Teresa O’Brien said.
“We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all of the children, teachers and support staff that have been involved.”
Decorating of the trees allowed activities to continue across the community despite COVID-19 restrictions and one particular contribution and the story behind its creation has been a highlight for ac.care.
The year 4/5 class at Meningie Area School has written letters and made cards and gifts for residents of the local aged care accommodation facility Jallarah Homes throughout the year.
They have been unable to visit this year, but through the correspondence have been able to learn about differences and similarities between the generations, as well as exploring kindness and gratitude.
The tree has been decorated with special messages written by the students, as well as homemade recycled items, which have been presented to the residents.
The year 4/5 students will receive a prize pack of board games they plan to share and play with the residents in 2021.
Christmas trees used for the campaign were donated by Big W through ac.care’s partnership with national charity Good360, which facilitates redirection of surplus goods from retailers to not-for-profit organisations.
Communities for Children Murraylands is facilitated by ac.care and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
ac.care can be contacted on 1300 ACCARE (1300 22 22 73).
Visit www.accare.org.au/communities-for-children-c4c to learn more.
