Mini Vinnies 2024-2025
Welcome to St. Joseph’s Mini Vinnies
“It is not enough to give bread and soup; this the rich can do. You are the servant of the poor... they are your masters, and you must love them tenderly and respect them.” – St. Vincent de Paul
An integral part of the Catholic life of the school are the Mini Vinnies. The Mini Vinnies are quite literally mini St. Vincent de Paul’s. They come together to help those in need within their school community. Mini Vinnies introduce children to social justice issues, to the St Vincent de Paul Society and to living faith through action.
"As a Mini Vinnie, I work with the St Vincent de Paul Charity and our local church to raise awareness and support for those in need. My role is to encourage our school community to live out our values of service, compassion, and faith by helping others. Whether it’s organising fundraisers, leading collective worship, or speaking in assemblies, I am proud to contribute to making a difference for those who need it most."
Mini Vinnies Foodbank Launch – Let’s Fill the Trolley!
Our Mini Vinnies are relaunching the school foodbank donations with an exciting new approach to encourage our whole school family to support those in need within our community.
Each month, different year groups will take responsibility for filling the trolley with food donations. Every item donated earns a Thumbs Up for the class, and if they fill the trolley, they’ll receive extra playtime! In June, if the school doubles the trolley, everyone will enjoy a whole-school extra playtime as a celebration of their generosity.
📅 Foodbank Rota:
- March – Year 6 & Reception
- April – Year 5 & Year 1
- May – Year 4, Year 2 & Year 3
- June – Whole School Challenge
🛒 How You Can Help:
✔ Check at home for extra tins, pasta, toiletries, or cleaning products to donate
✔ Encourage your child to take part in their class’s donation month
✔ If possible, add one extra item to your weekly shop to donate
This initiative reflects our school virtues—Gratitude, Service, Humility, and Courage - and lives out our school vision:
"Let all that you do be done in love." ❤️
Together, we can make a real difference. Thank you for your support!
Mini Vinnies Team 😊
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Lent Fundraising 2025
As we enter the holy season of Lent, our school family is called to pray, reflect, and take action to help those in need. Lent is a time of preparation, leading us towards the celebration of Easter. Just as Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert, we too are encouraged to sacrifice, serve, and show kindness to others.
One of the most important parts of Lent is almsgiving - giving to those in need. As Catholics, we are called to follow the example of Jesus, who cared for the poor, the sick, and the lonely. Through our Lenten fundraising efforts, we will be supporting CAFOD and Catholic Care, helping those in our community and beyond.
💙 “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
📅 Here’s what’s happening in school this Lent:
✝ Ash Wednesday Mass – Tuesday 5th March
We begin Lent with a special Mass in school, reminding us to turn our hearts to God.
🍩 Bake Sale for the Feast of St. Joseph – Tuesday 19th March
On the Feast of St. Joseph, we take a break from Lenten fasting and enjoy a Bake Sale to raise funds for charity.
🎤 Talent Show – Week 26 Class Shows & Whole School Show Thursday 27th March
Each class will hold a Talent Show, with the top acts going forward to perform in the Whole School Talent Show!
🎲 Games Week – Monday 24th - Friday 28th March
A fun-filled week of games and activities, raising money for our Lenten charities.
🥚 Easter Egg Raffle – Thursday 3rd April
Raffle tickets will be on sale soon for our Easter Egg Raffle—a sweet way to support a good cause!
🚶♂️ Good Shepherd Walk – Friday 4th April
We will walk together as a school community, raising money for those in need.
🏡 Sponsored Jobs – Throughout Lent
Children are encouraged to do helpful jobs at home, donating their earnings to support our Lenten charities.
"Lent is a time for greater love, to listen to the voice of God, and to turn our hearts towards the needs of others." – St. Teresa of Calcutta
Advent Fundraising 2024
A Huge Thank You from the Mini Vinnies
The Mini Vinnies would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate charities for our Advent project. We were truly inspired by your thoughtful suggestions and enthusiasm.
After careful consideration, we chose to support The Little Sisters of the Poor, who provide loving care for the elderly, and The Village, Harrogate, a local charity helping families in need. Learning about their missions helped us understand how our fundraising efforts can make a real difference. A special thank you to Amy (Isabelle’s mum) for nominating The Village - your suggestion has brought hope to many.
Many of you also suggested CAFOD, a charity close to our school community’s heart. Rather than including it in our Advent project, we have decided it will be a wonderful focus for our Lenten project, allowing us to support its important work during that meaningful season.
Another inspiring nomination came from Cat (Freddie’s mum), who suggested Catholic Care’s Gianna Project. The Mini Vinnies feel this charity is also a perfect choice for Lent, and we look forward to supporting it in the coming months.
We hope everyone feels heard and appreciated—thank you for your kindness and generosity. We are excited to make a difference together this Advent and beyond!
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
Harvest Appeal 2024
At St. Joseph's, our Mini Vinnies lead by example, living out the values of service, gratitude, courage, and humility. This Harvest, they have organised a Food Bank Appeal to support those in our local community who are in need.
Harvest is a time to give thanks for the food we have and to recognise the hard work of those who grow and produce it. But it is also a time to share with those who do not have enough. Inspired by the Gospel story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, our Mini Vinnies are encouraging everyone to donate essential food items and toiletries to make a real difference.
Through our Harvest Collection, we are supporting [Local Food Bank Name], ensuring that families who are struggling receive much-needed supplies. Donations of tinned food, pasta, rice, cereals, toiletries, and other non-perishable items can be brought to school and placed in our collection baskets.
By working together, we can show our love and compassion for others, living out our school mission: Let all that you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
The Mini Vinnies
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." – Matthew 25:35
About Mini Vinnies
'Mini Vinnies' are Primary School children aged between 7 to 11 (or younger) who, with the permission of their parents and carers and the support of their Schools, are encouraged to embark on their first steps as possible 'Vincentians for life'.
"Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another." – St. Vincent de Paul
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