In early December 2025, GIC invited Elizabeth and Benjamin from SmolBoss to prepare goodie bags for their Christmas volunteering event, which supported families with children impacted by incarceration. With less than two weeks to prepare, the siblings sprang into action.

They started with one simple question:

What would children actually find useful and feel happy receiving?

They discussed the items carefully and packed them with excitement.  They made cards and attached them to colourful bags. (Read about Elizabeth’s post here)

In addition to preparing the goodie bags, SmolBoss also supported the event by running a hands-on Choco Pop activity.

Pre-event prep: sprinkles, shapes, and small discoveries

Before the event day, they practised the Choco Pop activity over several sessions and experimented with different chocolates to see which worked best.

This was also when Benjamin made a fun discovery. He realised that the star sprinkles and other fun pieces could be placed in specific spots so they fit nicely into the mould and showed up clearly on the final Choco Pops. He was so excited about it, and it became one of the tips he couldn’t wait to share with everyone.

On the actual day: 1kg of chocolate and a whole lot of heart

On the event day, Elizabeth went all in. She tempered about 1kg of chocolate. It was intense, fast-paced, and real. She even burned her fingers while tempering, but she pushed through, stayed focused, and kept going until the job was done.

Benjamin stepped up as the friendly coach. He taught everyone how to make Choco Pops, shared simple tips for decorating, and showed participants his favourite trick, using star-shaped sprinkles and other fun shapes to fit neatly into the mould.

What stood out most was not just the chocolate-making. It was the way they connected with participants across ages.

They made friends with everyone. They chatted easily with adults, encouraged kids who were unsure, and brought so much laughter into the room. The energy felt warm, light, and genuinely joyful.

They worked for about four hours and only ate dinner close to 9pm. Still, it was all worth it when everyone participated, enjoyed themselves, and loved the chocolate (and the sprinkles).

What they learned

This experience showed what can happen when young people are given a real opportunity to contribute.

They learned that serving isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, trying again when something doesn’t work, and staying kind even when tired. They also learned how to work under pressure, engage participants naturally, and bring others into a shared moment of fun.

GIC’s impact goes beyond the event

One thing worth acknowledging clearly is this: GIC is a big organisation, and yet they trusted two children with something meaningful. That trust allowed Elizabeth and Benjamin to contribute with real responsibility,

GIC creates social impact and multiplies it by inspiring young people to do the same. By giving children real opportunities to contribute, they support them in turning ideas into action, building confidence, and developing people-first skills that will shape how they lead in the future.

Thank you, GIC, for creating a space where children can serve alongside adults and for allowing them to be part of a day that brings joy to others.

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