Students across 19 Perth primary schools joined Hawaiian in its annual Giving Box Christmas Appeal, helping us to collect food and toys for WA charities Foodbank WA and Variety WA to distribute to people in need.

Through the program, 3,794 students in our local shopping centre catchments took part and their donations raised 30,789 meals and 3,169 gifts at Christmas 2019.

In return, Hawaiian’s Schools’ Program has given $23,000 worth of grants to the participating schools to use on programs or projects the school has long wanted, but were perhaps not in a position to afford.

Heritage College Perth, which partners with Hawaiian’s Forrestfield in the Giving Box Christmas appeal, used its $1000 Schools’ Grant from Hawaiian to bituminise the trike track for the Kindy and Pre-Primary students.

Heritage College Perth Principal Stephen Higgs said the school was delighted to receive the $1000 grant from Hawaiian.

“The new path looks fantastic and the students are loving racing the trikes, pushing the prams and running around the track,” Mr Higgs says.

“It’s been a great way for the students to be active, whilst having fun together.”

Bassendean Primary School used its $1000 Hawaiian Schools’ Grant to purchase giant games.

“This was identified by the student body as something that they really wanted for playing with during recess and lunch times,” a school spokesperson said.

“It was so well received that the Year 6’s fund-raised to purchase even more games.”

Meanwhile, Woodlupine Primary School in Forrestfield used its $1000 Schools’ Grant from Hawaiian to design and purchase new shirts for the School Choir (pictured).

Woodlupine Primary School Principal Trevor Phoebe says the fresh new shirts for the school choir were fantastic.

“Our school has a long history of having a strong and successful Arts program. In recent times we have been very grateful that Hawaiian Forrestfield have been strong supporters of the Woodlupine Primary School Arts Program,” Mr Phoebe says.

“In 2019 they supported the development of our Art Gallery – The Djilba Gallery. This year, the support of Hawaiian Forrestfield has allowed us to purchase new shirts for our school choir.

“Our choir will be back to performing at venues like the Woodlupine Family and Community Centre and the shopping centre, to entertain members of the Forrestfield community… our new choir shirts are fantastic!”

Now in its eighth year, the Hawaiian Giving Box Program works with Variety WA and Foodbank WA to collect gifts and food items for West Australians in need.