Leading the Way with Service - Ambrose Treacy College

Random acts of kindness and service for others have a profound physiological effects on self. People who perform, receive and witness these acts have an increase in self-esteem, empathy and compassion, a natural mood booster! In Ben Crowe's 'The Journey', it states that life is not about me, but rather how I can empower others to realise who they are through reaching their potential. In a nutshell, unconditional positive regard for others is crucial in this space.

Our students are actively involved in Service initiatives. From environmental projects to helping at events; hosting charity fayres to visiting aged care homes, the many ways that boys engage in and around our community are endless.

Leading by example, our staff give back to their communities with service and random acts of kindness. Here are some examples:

“We always cook and package Christmas cookies for our neighbours with a little Christmas card decorated and written by the kids. The kids always pick a present they would like for Christmas to put under the Kmart wishing tree (or give to Rise Up Christmas drive) while I do bags for Share the Dignity which they help me pack together. My son and husband do a recycling service at our parish where they allow people (across two different churches) to drop off recycling and they will take them to recycling centre and donate the money back into the Parish St Vincent de Paul charity. This teaches gratitude and kindness - what more could I want to pass on to my kids. We also say one thing we like about ourselves and then one thing we like about someone else in the family or go around dinner table saying what we're grateful for - we do this on Sunday night dinner. I have Rosie's through Munster homeroom - the students gain so much from this and really enjoy the night as do I. I create bags for Share the Dignity bag drive where we out bags together for women and teens in need. I take so much care and collect stuff throughout the year to put into bags from socks, to perfume, to necessary toiletries and always a card to wish them well. It's so important to give back and try where possible to make a difference in someone else's life. If I act in this way my kids (students and children) can see this and learn how to be a nice person.”

"Sewing for charity - making a range of items when they are needed through my sewing community who finds out what is needed and gets involved. My husband helps this process as my fabric support shopping person (that is a huge service). Any type of walk for charity that I come across - Dash for Crash, Moonlight Walk, Steptember, Park2Park. Neighbours, if there is a need we are there, they go away we will look after your pets, check your pool or make sure your bins are out or in. Otherwise generally I give my time were needed to help or to mentor. One small but important service that can be given is an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on. You have a goal; I will help you achieve it where possible. I feel that I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with Rosie's through the school. Going out and giving a small amount of time and service has allowed me to contribute to an existing community of people that face hardships beyond my previous perspective - there are bonds within their community and small acts like snacks and time mean something. I'm glad I get to do this with the school a few times a year.”

“The Rena oil spill - our family went to the beach to help clean up the oil from a shipping disaster in NZ.”

“We volunteer on some school holidays and at Christmas at Emmanuel City Mission. Last year our daughters made gingerbread to hand out with the coffee and tea we make. They dress in some festive gear with hat and all. The smiles and chats with the homeless is priceless. We have been known to purchase an extra pizza and give it to the homeless man at Corinda. One homeless lady found a fancy dress to change in to. I commented on how lovely she looked. She was beaming. She said she was going to Court to support a friend and wanted to wear something nice. Emmanuel City Mission has high expectations from their patrons, they do not tolerate swearing, fighting or bad behaviour. They are the most appreciative group of people who have the best manners. It is an absolute pleasure to serve them.”

“I visit an elderly couple who are wheelchair bound at the care facility where my father lived for eighteen months before he passed away ‘Seasons Living at Sinnamon Park’. I like visiting them as they have great stories to share, and I love listening to them and their travels.”

“My daughter and I volunteer for Rosie's - we're in the same Team. We both find the outreach with the patrons to be very rewarding. Watching her interactions and the compassion she shows makes me very proud.”

“My mother buys my children a chicken for families in third-world countries each Christmas. She buys a goat for all of us to gift as well. We sometimes glance over it but thinking about it now, it is a big deal for someone, somewhere in the world. Good to see parents, even at her age, still teaching lessons by thinking of what we can do for others through small, but meaningful sacrifices.”

ATC Service Ideas

For people you may never meet:

Donate blood if you are able to do so
Donate plasma if you are able to do so
Register on the bone marrow donor list if you are able to
Register as an organ donor
Donate to a food charity
Donate to a DV org
Make clothing for premature/stillborn babies
Make pouches for surgical drains - breast cancer
Volunteer to assemble birthing kits to save lives of birthing parents

Direct contact:

Volunteer with a street van, Orange Sky, shower van, ECM
Volunteer for language classes or writing for recent migrants
Volunteer at a nursing home/hospital

From a distance - standing in solidarity:

Engage in advocacy for marginalised groups - asylum seekers and refugees, people suffering in war
Use your platform to amplify voices
Attend a rally/protest and stand in solidarity - war, refugees, First Nations

Something small but meaningful

Take your family for a walk and pick up all the rubbish along the way
Mow an elderly person's lawn
Pay it forward coffee
Pay for the groceries of the person in front of you
Buy a meal for a homeless person without asking them if they want it
Put an affirmation note in your partner's or child's lunch box
Plan a surprise afternoon for your partner/kids/family/parents/friend
Impromptu gratitude to a stranger, colleague or family member
With no words, hug someone you care about for no reason
Tell someone how well they are doing
Leave a note of care or affirmation on someone's desk or under their windscreen wiper
Do the washing, ironing and folding before your partner gets home
Deliver your family member's favourite meal to work

Year 4 hosted the Term 3 Charity Fayre to raise money for those in our community in need of a helping hand. It was a fun morning of games and activities, a great way to end the term, but also a valuable learning experience for our young hosts and organisers. Their first foray into fundraising and they did a mighty job!

We look forward to receiving your Service stories and photos. Please email them through to signumfidei@atc.qld.edu.au so we can share the good news with our community!

Citation

[SSM Health (2022, August 11). The Science Behind Kindness and How It's Good for Your Health. Retrieved September 17, 2024, from https://www.ssmhealth.com/news...]