On 12 December 2024, the Acacia Campus of Keysborough Secondary College was alive with the spirit of giving during the Festive Gift Donation Drive, an event that brought together the community to make the festive season brighter for local children and families in need. Led by the passionate Mrs. Aruna Malhotra, and in collaboration with the charitable organization SarasCare, the event was a resounding success, demonstrating the true meaning of the holidays through generosity, community engagement, and festive cheer.
Aiming to Spread Joy
The Festive Gift Donation Drive was launched with a simple yet powerful goal: to spread joy and make the festive season special for those less fortunate. Thanks to the support of SarasCare, the drive exceeded expectations and gathered a wealth of high-quality gifts that were distributed to 21 primary schools, Monash Children’s Hospital, and Scouts Victoria.
Despite the tight timeline, with only three weeks to plan and execute the event, the collective effort from the school, community partners, and volunteers made the initiative an overwhelming success. The first phase of the drive involved coordinating with SarasCare to facilitate donations, with generous contributions arriving from various supporters, including RACV Melbourne, which delivered two vans full of toys, clothing, shoes, backpacks, and pet beds.
Community Support and Logistics
The success of the drive also depended on the remarkable support from individuals like Mrs. Malhotra, who tirelessly worked behind the scenes. She personally collected 10 large boxes of donations from BigW in Melbourne, and the school’s Principal, Mr. Aaron Sykes, also played a crucial role by transporting an entire van-load of goods. The logistical efforts were coordinated by staff members Mrs. Fode and Mrs. Hughes, who ensured that everything ran smoothly.
With the donations arriving, the second stage of the drive began: sorting and wrapping the gifts. Students from Years 8–12 eagerly volunteered their time, with some working during lunch and recess breaks, while others dedicated two to three hours to the task. The atmosphere was nothing short of festive as students transformed into Santa’s helpers, wrapping hundreds of gifts in just three days. Remarkably, they used all 500 meters of wrapping paper in the process!
A Joyous Celebration
The final stage of the drive was marked by a vibrant presentation ceremony, where the gifts were officially presented to representatives from the local schools, Monash Children’s Hospital, and Scouts Victoria. The celebration featured a spectacular performance by the school’s Symphonic Band, led by Tom Kenneth, who captivated the audience with a stunning rendition of All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey. Santa himself made a surprise appearance, delighting students, staff, and guests alike, and adding an extra layer of holiday magic to the event.
In addition to school representatives, the event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Dr. Daniel Garama from Monash Children’s Hospital, Mr. Gaurav Bajaj from Scouts Victoria, SarasCare founder Mr. Gautam Gupta, and Board Member Marina Kelman and Ganesh Shenoy, as well as various community leaders such as Lisa Hogan from RACV and Marcus Mandie, CEO of AICC. Their presence underscored the significance of the event and the widespread support for this noble cause.
Gratitude and Recognition
A heartfelt thank you was extended to the student leaders, whose efforts in transporting the gifts to the guests' vehicles ensured a smooth and successful handover. The school staff also received praise for their contributions, including preparing morning tea for the guests and helping with event logistics. Special recognition was given to outstanding Year 10 VPC students – Dexter Phetsomphou, Sang Tran, and Ahsen Raza.
The Festive Gift Donation Drive not only brought smiles to the faces of countless children and families but also reaffirmed the core values of Keysborough Secondary College: Respect, Excellence, and Diversity. The event highlighted the power of community spirit and generosity, demonstrating that when people come together with a shared purpose, they can accomplish extraordinary things.
Through the support of SarasCare, local businesses, and the tireless efforts of students, staff, and volunteers, the event set a high standard for future charitable initiatives at the school. It serves as a shining example of how even within a limited timeframe, remarkable acts of kindness can bring about significant change and make a lasting impact. As we reflect on the success of this event, it reminds us that the true magic of the festive season lies not in the gifts we receive, but in the joy we share with others.
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