Wade High School’s Annalise Bellicanta donated her time and energy (alongside mentor Kelly Dal Broi) to rustle up these books as part of the Youth Frontiers mentoring program, all in the name of helping people. 

She said her goal was a simple one, to do some good for Griffith.

“I was trying to do something that would help everyone,” she said.

“I was aiming for about 20-25 books at the start and I ended up being able to get 75, so that was really good.”

It wasn’t all sunshine and roses though.

She had her work cut out for her as she rustled up triple the amount of books she aimed for.

“At first I tried getting books from students but that didn't really work out,” she said.

“Then I approached Griffith City Library and I got a heap from there which was the main reason I was able to get so many (books).”

Felix Sebastian from Barnabas House was delighted when he got the call that told him what Annalise had planned.

He said the people who use Barnabas House would much appreciate the donation.

“The people that live here, basically they're here because they have an issue, like homelessness and broken families,” he said.

“They come here with kids and books like these, they will really appreciate.”

The 75 books donated are all children’t books.

“I have an op-shop here but these books won't be going there for sale,” Mr Sebastian said.

“I'll be giving them to kids who come here.

“It will be a gift to them.

“A small thing like this for me goes a long way, we always appreciate stuff like that.”

Books were received from the Griffith City Library (Christine Delgiganti) and two teachers from Wade High. 

Youth Frontiers is aimed at students in years eight or nine, who have the capacity to benefit from youth mentoring that focuses on leadership and civic engagement.