Buddy Bags for Galilee Kids

A few months ago, Galilee approached the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and applied for their Buddy Bags Program. 

On 28 April 1996 at the historical Port Arthur site in Tasmania, 35 people were tragically killed. Two small children, Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, along with their mother, died that day. Because of this terrible act of violence, Alannah and Madeline's father, Walter Mikac, Phil West and a small group of volunteers, including Gaye and John Fidler who survived Port Arthur, worked hard to set up the Foundation, a national charity with the belief that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to any form of violence. 

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation has introduced a much needed program – Buddy Bags – developed in response to continued demands to support the many children in emergency care and their foster carers.

Buddy Bags provide children with a backpack containing essential and personal items, all of which are brand new.  It is theirs to keep, providing them with belongings of their very own, and will help begin the process of restoring a sense of safety and security into their lives.Buddy Bags are packed with age appropriate toys and clothing. Each bag contains the following:   A back pack, Toothbrush and toothpaste, Pyjamas, Underwear, Pillowcase, Face washer, Book, Singlet, Socks, Money box or wallet, Photo frame, Cuddly teddy bear or educational toy, Colouring in or activity book.

Galilee always requires donations of back packs and suitcases, so it was a wonderful surprise when this month, Galilee received 40 Buddy Bags from the Allanah and Madeline Foundation. These bags will go to the children in out of home care with Galilee Foster Care. Many of these children don’t have anything that they can call their own. Often they arrive at their new Foster home with only a plastic bag full of an assortment of items. Receiving the donation of Buddy Bags will mean that each child will have a bag filled with items of their own. They will be able to take these bags with them if and when they move on. These bags will mean the world to them.

Galilee wishes to thank the Alannah and Madeline Foundation for their support and care for the babies, children and young people in the Galilee Foster Care Program. If you would like to support the Galilee Foster Care Program, please contact us on (02) 6290 2191 to make a donation.    

Lynne Harwood, Sharon & Sharon with the Buddy Bags