A TOTAL of $15,000 for school chaplaincy programs in the Redlands has been raised at the Redland City Mayoral Prayer Breakfast.
More than 220 business people, government representatives, community members, church and school leaders and students attended Friday’s breakfast.
Mayor Karen Williams said the event had become a special one since it began in 2003.
“The chaplaincy programs provide a wonderful source of guidance and support for Redlands students to fulfil their potential, as well as opening the door to spirituality,” she said.
“They really do change lives, particularly for students experiencing grief and loss or those who need a hand overcoming life’s difficulties.”
Guest speaker was chaplain at Cleveland District State High School and pastor of Mount Cotton Community Fellowship Neale Collier.
Mr Collier said there was value in giving young people opportunities to develop and show compassion.
“I believe becoming an outward-facing, compassionate person is the key to overcoming adversity and gaining a sense of fulfilment in life,” he said.
Mr Collier spoke about three children whose lives had been transformed by their involvement in a library project, through which books and resources were collected and shipped to schools in Vanuatu.
