Published Wednesday, 10 December, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
4,400 ‘care packs’ delivered to Queensland’s at-risk children in 2008
Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today congratulated Project Love and Care for its continued support of Queensland’s abused and neglected children.
Mrs Keech said the charity this year had provided around 4400 ‘care packs’ to children in care.
“Project Love and Care, through their ‘care packs’, help children who cannot live safely at home because of the risk of abuse and neglect to transition into foster care,” she said.
“Often children in danger of abuse and neglect are taken into care with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Care packs include the basic needs of a child when they are placed into foster or kinship care – items like school equipment, clothing and toiletries.
“The packs mean a lot to the children and I am extremely grateful to Project Love and Care and its volunteers for their generous and continuing support of abused and neglected children.
”Project Love and Care volunteers send ‘care packs’ all over Queensland, north to Thursday Island, south to Tweed Heads and west to Mount Isa.”
Mrs Keech commended Project Love and Care founder Ann George, during the charity’s presentation ceremony which recognised 40 volunteers for their service.
“When established in 2005, Project Love and Care provided 62 care packs to Queensland’s at-risk children,” she said.
“This figure has jumped to around 4,400 in 2008 – with more than 9700 care packs distributed to children.
“The project has many dedicated people involved – such as 94-year-old Connie McKenna, who despite suffering a stroke earlier this year, continued to volunteer with Project Love and Care.
“Ms McKenna is clearly a remarkable person and it was a pleasure to meet and personally thank her and other volunteers for such kindness.”
Mrs Keech said Project Love and Care was a prime example of how volunteers could play an important role in society.
“The Bligh Government, as part of its Toward Q2 strategy is committed to increasing by 50 per cent the number of volunteers across Queensland,” she said.
“I can’t think of a more meaningful contribution by a volunteer than to help vulnerable children.”
Media contact: Minister Keech’s office on 3224 7081.
Mrs Keech said the charity this year had provided around 4400 ‘care packs’ to children in care.
“Project Love and Care, through their ‘care packs’, help children who cannot live safely at home because of the risk of abuse and neglect to transition into foster care,” she said.
“Often children in danger of abuse and neglect are taken into care with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Care packs include the basic needs of a child when they are placed into foster or kinship care – items like school equipment, clothing and toiletries.
“The packs mean a lot to the children and I am extremely grateful to Project Love and Care and its volunteers for their generous and continuing support of abused and neglected children.
”Project Love and Care volunteers send ‘care packs’ all over Queensland, north to Thursday Island, south to Tweed Heads and west to Mount Isa.”
Mrs Keech commended Project Love and Care founder Ann George, during the charity’s presentation ceremony which recognised 40 volunteers for their service.
“When established in 2005, Project Love and Care provided 62 care packs to Queensland’s at-risk children,” she said.
“This figure has jumped to around 4,400 in 2008 – with more than 9700 care packs distributed to children.
“The project has many dedicated people involved – such as 94-year-old Connie McKenna, who despite suffering a stroke earlier this year, continued to volunteer with Project Love and Care.
“Ms McKenna is clearly a remarkable person and it was a pleasure to meet and personally thank her and other volunteers for such kindness.”
Mrs Keech said Project Love and Care was a prime example of how volunteers could play an important role in society.
“The Bligh Government, as part of its Toward Q2 strategy is committed to increasing by 50 per cent the number of volunteers across Queensland,” she said.
“I can’t think of a more meaningful contribution by a volunteer than to help vulnerable children.”
Media contact: Minister Keech’s office on 3224 7081.