Students unite to help clothe region’s disadvantaged

Donations wanted: Ben McCarthy, Alicia McNamara and Maddy Blomfield with clothing for next month’s OOPS event. Donations wanted: Ben McCarthy, Alicia McNamara and Maddy Blomfield with clothing for next month’s OOPS event.

By Michelle Herbison
STUDENTS from more than 12 schools are banding together to collect old clothes for a giant op-shop event next month.
Organising committee member and Christian College student Ben McCarthy said all proceeds from OOPS – Take the Opp to Shop for a Good Cause would go to Geelong’s The Outpost.
Geelong Schools United, a collective of mostly year 12 student leaders, initiated the program as a first for the city.
Mr McCarthy said primary and secondary schools throughout the region would run donation days in the lead-up to the event.
The event would also raise awareness for the homeless and disadvantaged in Geelong, he said.
“We were looking to find a way to help the community while at the same time getting the youth of Geelong involved in the effort. We, as the youth of Geelong, have been working to take our own stand against homelessness and to reach out to the members of our community in greatest need of our support.”
The Outpost would use funds from the op shop project to continue supporting disadvantaged families, Mr McCarthy said.
OOPS will be at Geelong West Town Hall from 4pm to 9pm on September 15.