Isabella’s Christmas gift to the homeless
Isabella’s Christmas gift to the homeless
18 December 2018
Isabella Palm has used her sewing skills to raise money for Sydney Congress Hall’s ministry to people experiencing homelessness this Christmas.
A 14-year-old Sydney schoolgirl has combined her passion for sewing and heart for the homeless to deliver a generous donation to The Salvation Army this Christmas.
Isabella Palm got a sewing machine for Christmas last year and started making small items such as coin purses and pencil cases to sell to her friends. She soon grew more confident with her sewing skills and began to increase her range of goods, adding clothing, tote bags and phone cases.
As it grew closer to Christmas, Isabella began to think about what she could do to help people in her community who weren’t as fortunate as herself.
“I always see one man at [my local] shopping centre and he’s got no legs and he’s homeless and I always try to give him money,” she said. “When you see people like that it makes you realise how hard it must be for them.”
Isabella decided to donate half the profits of her sewing enterprise towards an organisation that helps people experiencing homelessness. The Salvation Army seemed a good “fit” and soon she was in touch with Major Bruce Harmer, the corps officer at Sydney Congress Hall.
Isabella sold scrunchies, coin purses and other items to raise money for The Salvation Army.
Twice a week, Salvos from Congress Hall and volunteers connect with people sleeping rough in Sydney, offering support, meals and donated goods such as socks, beanies and toiletries. On Thursdays, a drop-in centre operates where people can take some time off the streets, charge their phones, have a meal and a chat.
“I always like to help the homeless and people in need,” said Isabella. “Whenever I got to Bondi Junction and places and I see homeless people I always try to give them some spare change and money and I always just like to help others in need. I thought The Salvation Army would be a really good charity to donate to.”
Major Harmer said he was blown away when he heard about Isabella’s efforts to raise money for others at Christmas time.
“I was instantly impressed by the heart of this young person wanting to use her gifts and abilities to help those in need,” he said. “I was also impressed seeing her mother, Kym, supporting her daughter the way she has. To allow Isabella to follow her heart at such a young age and help the homeless is a gift in itself.”
Isabella’s market stall and online sales raised approximately $500, of which she donated half to Sydney Congress Hall’s ministry to people experiencing homelessness. The money will help Salvos in the city provide food, clothing and blankets for these people this Christmas.
“Christmas is a time when we have an instinctive desire to give and share with others,” said Major Harmer. “It's also a time when many in our community feel their loneliness more acutely. As God would have it, just when many feel at their loneliest, the spirit of Christmas, which reflects the heart of God, brings welcome contact and love to those who need it most. Christmas is truly a time when we reach out to others in love and compassion.”
Early next year, Isabella and her mother plan to visit Sydney Congress Hall on Wednesday night to assist with a free community meal and to take part as volunteers on the Street Outreach team.
“I think that will be really cool to do,” said Isabella.
You can check out Isabella’s merchandise on her Instagram account.
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