Welcome to our Winter Appeal schools page!
Vinnies NSW supports tens of thousands of individuals and families each year who are experiencing financial and housing insecurity. Through support offered by Vinnies Conferences and homelessness services, Vinnies strives to rebuild lives and dismantle the communal constructs that lead to disadvantage in the first place.
This year, the Vinnies Winter Appeal focuses on the issue of older women experiencing homelessness. Your school’s contributions to the Winter Appeal will allow Vinnies to continue supporting older women who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to have access to the supports they need to get back on their feet and to be safe and well.
We invite your school community to join us in participating in the 2023 Vinnies Winter Appeal.
What you can do
Your school could hold a fundraiser, a donation drive of food, warm blankets and clothing, or make your appeal about advocating to the government to address the shortage of affordable housing.
Whatever you’d like to do, we’ve got the following resources to help you:
- How to Give – for everything you need to know on how to donate, check out this one-page explainer (printable PDF)
- School Activities Kit – for everything you need to know about holding your appeal – including a Case Study, statistics around this year’s Winter Appeal theme and a range of classroom resources to help support your school’s campaign
- Schools Poster to promote your chosen activities in the Winter Appeal in your local area
- Certificate of Appreciation and State President Thank You Note – A Vinnies Member or your Youth Engagement Officer would be happy to present in person.
- Thank You Video
Our staff and Members can also give presentations and talks about homelessness and inspire the community to give to your school’s local appeal. If you’re not in touch already, see our Contact Us page to find the staff for your region.
You can also build momentum about your activities and invite people to donate online. The sky is the limit when raising funds, so create your own snazzy event and get involved in a way that best suits your school community! Create your own School Fundraising page now.
Alternatively, our general donation page is where any school or individual can make a once-off donation.
Vinnies School Sleepouts
Vinnies School Sleepouts provide students with an opportunity to get a glimpse of what it is like to be homeless by ‘sleeping rough’ for one night. Students gather sponsorship from friends and family for their Sleepout. Schools can run sleepouts in a variety of ways. You choose which grades participate and whether the sleepout will be at school or ‘at home’. Vinnies Staff can support with activities, reflections and resources for the night, or you can create your own.
School Sleepouts must be registered with Vinnies. For all sleepouts, schools can create a school sleepout fundraising page and track their progress. Students can tap into a whole range of Vinnies School Sleepout Resources to help with planning and promotion of the event.
Tell us how you’re participating
Don’t forget to tell us how you’ll be participating! We love to see photos and hear stories about what you’re doing.
Share your pictures and stories with us by tagging the @VinniesNSW socials on Facebook and Instagram.
By fundraising on behalf of Vinnies NSW you are making a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Funds raised by your school can be designated to support your local conference.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’ve got questions, or to find out more. We’re here to help!
The NSW Vinnies Youth team – Mary, Roydon, Kate, Ana, Josh, Cassie, Kim, Rosie and Sarah
Video from Vinnies Youth across Australia