Wagga Wagga Launch

RC Carol Gordon and Mayor Kerry Pascoe

Mayor Kerry Pascoe presented the first shoe box from the Wagga Wagga community to Carol Gordon, Regional Co-ordinator.  The Mayor who knew very little about OCC before the Saturday morning was quickly briefed by one of the young women at the launch.  He commended the project to the people of Wagga Wagga. 

Carol organized a massive media contingent and there were articles on radio, in two newspapers (before and after the event) and on local television.  Well done Carol.

The St Alban’s Church Hall was packed to capacity, every chair used and the doors to the church opened to allow more people to attend.  The buzz in the air was exciting and the support of Carol’s Minister, Mal Dunnet was excellent.  He was heard to say “20,000 shoe boxes for Wagga Wagga” – perhaps not this year but … watch out Wagga!!

"Launch Season" is well underway

It is exciting to see that a number of areas are having community meetings to get OCC off the ground for 2009.  There is nothing better than getting like-minded people together to encourage each other, share ideas and get inspired for the year ahead.

 

All the new brochures and posters are here, the pre-printed shoe boxes are walking out the door and people are grateful to make a donation of 50 cents for each box rather than having to cover their own.  The DVD will be here around mid July.  Meanwhile the DVD of Lejla Allison’s testimony about receiving a shoe box at the age of 11 in war torn Bosnia is impacting everyone who watches it.  The “happy ending” of Lejla being able to return to her homeland to distribute OCC shoe boxes is a testimony to God’s grace. 

So far Cootamundra, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Tumut and Cowra have had community meetings and Grenfell and Griffith are coming up.

Coming Next: Wagga Wagga Launch