June 2026: Blessing Bags Packing & Note Writing

On 21 June 2026 before sinh hoạt, Chanh Dao took part in the Blessing Bags Community Day in Mornington. Along with other volunteers in the community, the group packed over 580 Blessing Bags, which will then be distributed to organisations such as Wayss in Dandenong, Big Hug Group and Orange Door.

Blessing Bags is a South-East Melbourne initiative that assembles and distributes hygiene packs to those experiencing homelessness and/or disadvantage. It is a project that strives to help those less fortunate and is run entirely by volunteers. (Learn more about Blessing Bags: https://www.blessingbagsmelbourne.com/) The hygiene packs contain essential personal care items as well as a handwritten note of hope and positivity so that the recipient knows that they are not alone.

The week before the packing day, youth members (Đoàn Sinh) and leaders (Huynh Trưởng) spent time during our weekly program (sinh hoạt) handwriting and decorating notes of encouragement and support to be included in the Blessing Bags at the packing day. In addition to some example wording we provided, some members came up with their own ways to express kindness, such as sharing their favourite motivational quotes or drawing pictures to help brighten someone’s day. In total, we contributed over 60 hand-written notes.

Our Oanh Vũ members, aged 7 to 12, also spent time during Buddhism class (Phật Pháp) to learn about the practice of giving in Buddhism (Bố Thí) and the three different ways to give. The note writing activity for Blessings Bags was a great way for our members to practice giving to others using words of support and encouragement (vô úy thí).  Everyone also had a lot of fun spending the afternoon getting crafty!

Volunteers: Jayde Ho, Cao Vinh Lam, Phukhang Nguyen, Thuy Nguyen, Evelyn Tran and David Tran.

This effort adds 15 volunteer hours, or $325.00, towards our Charity Fundraising Project goal.