General News
12 December, 2025
Spreading festive cheer
CHRISTMAS for hundreds of children in care will be that little bit brighter this year thanks to the efforts of a group of hard working but cheerful volunteers.
The volunteers, led by coordinator of ‘Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, South West Victoria’ Shanika Ramanayaka, have spent many moths sewing well over 600 Santa sacks and filling them with donations of toys, games, sports items, craft items, books and other special gifts.
“We have had members from both the Kiwanis Club of Warrnambool and the Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak working together, along with other volunteers, to make this project happen,” Shanika said.
“We’ve been making and filling sacks for children in care, whether that be in foster care or refuges, up to the age of 17.
“Christmas should be a happy, memorable time for children but sadly for many it is not. This is our way of helping to make it special.
“We make sure the children receive something to love, something to read, something to do and something to share.”
Along with thanking the many volunteers involved with the project, Shanika also thanked all those who had made donations, big and small.
As well as the Santa sacks at Christmas time, the group also delivers ‘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 for next year can contact Shanika on 0450 231 601.
