Superheroes bring joy to kids in Sydney’s west

It was meant to be at Christmas, but then the COVID Grinch hit. So it was up to Hume Community Housing superheroes, not Santa, to bring gifts and goodies to kids living at Hume social and community housing properties in Telopea, Wentworthville, Merrylands, Guildford, Bankstown, Fairfield, Wakely, Miller and Liverpool.

Hume, which operates out of Fairfield and Parramatta, provides homes and support services to over 9,000 customers across New South Wales, everything from homelessness to housing affordability stress.

Hume Community Cohesion Officer, Ben Leauanae – aka Captain America – said the purpose of the days were to bring joy and courage to the kids in the face of COVID and a new year filled with more restrictions.

“It’s been a tough 2020, especially for the kids and we wanted to bring children of our Hume customers with gifts and tons of encouragement as school starts, to face 2021 with positivity,” he said.

“The kids had a great time having a chat, taking photos and receiving the gift bags packed with useful things for school as well as some yummy things too.”

As well as Ben as Captain America, Hume employee, Stella Hristias, dressed up as Super Woman and they both played the role to a tee!  Ben is no stranger to performance as he is a musician and performer, once being part of New Zealand boy band and harmony group Purest Form.

“Performing and entertaining are second nature to me and something I love to do! This part of my job at Hume where I get out to meet people and entertain the kids is thoroughly enjoyable,” he said.

“For all Hume employees involved and those dressing up as superheroes to promote good vibes for our customer’s kids, this is all just in a day’s work!”

If you are having housing affordability issues or are homeless you can contact Hume Community Housing by calling 1800 004 300.