Community
22 August, 2025
Bringing smiles to young faces
WHILE Christmas for many children is a happy time filled with presents, food and family, for others it can be a time of sadness.
For children in care, Christmas may not always be a happy time – but that’s where a small, dedicated group of local volunteers with big hearts step in to fill the void.
Led by coordinator Shanika Raman-ayaka, ‘Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, South West Victoria’ fills and distributes Santa sacks to children in out-of-home care.
Last year more than 600 sacks were packed and given to children in care in and around Warrnambool and this number is expected to be even higher come December.
With that in mind, volunteers across Warrnambool are now working hard collecting donations and compiling Santa sacks for children who otherwise may not receive gifts on Christmas morning – and these kind-hearted ‘elves’ need some help.
“We make and fill sacks for children up to the age of 17,” Shanika said.
“We make sure the children receive something to love, something to read, something to do and something to share.”
Members from both the Kiwanis Club of Warrnambool and the Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak work together, along with other volunteers, to make this happen each year.
“It’s a joint project and one that we are all very passionate about,” Shanika said.
“Lots of community groups are also behind it and we welcome contributions big and small; we need to have the sacks finished by the end of October ready for distribution from the first week of December.”
Games, activity sets, toys, sports items, craft items (non toxic), story books and new soft toys are among the items most in need.
“Along with the Santa sacks at Christmas time, we also deliver ‘my essential’ (backpacks) packs to children in need.”
Since September 2018 more than 500 packs have been delivered to local family services.
These packs include new children’s clothing, towels, drink bottles and lunch boxes, toiletries, school stationery and story books, sun hats and more.
“The backpack project was initiated by former Warrnambool locals Jennifer and Peter King to help children going into foster care and to help foster care families,” Shanika said.
“Often children are placed quickly into foster care without much more than what they are wearing at the time. We aim to provide them with a backpack with a few essential items to help with the transition.”
Both the backpack and Santa sack projects rely solely on donations to ensure their continuation.
Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the Santa sacks or backpacks can contact Shanika on 0450 231 601.
