Christmas For Those Alone Inc. www.cfta.webs.com
WINNER in the Greater Shepparton Volunteer Awards for BEST COMMUNITY EVENT 2009-2010.
Volunteers and Committee working together to provide a three course Luncheon on Christmas Day each year for members of the community who will be without family, unemployed, homeless, disadvantaged in any way; backpackers, families, farmers and indigenous persons who reside within the boundaries of the City of Greater Shepparton.
The free Christmas lunch for Those Alone in our community came into being in 1999 through the efforts of Robin Harwood and Tony Jerome who realised that many of Shepparton’s residents spent Christmas Day on their own or without their family around.
Working together for 6 years they established the support of local businesses to provide goods and services. Due to Robin’s work commitments he passed the reigns to Tony. Tony unfortunately passed away in 2007 and the Luncheon was in danger of closing down. A call went out to the community to reform a Committee and volunteers flocked to help.
Our Committee now has a core group of 16 dedicated Volunteers who still have the dedicated support of many local businesses who donate food, goods and services for the Luncheon.
Additional Volunteers help decorate the Venue and serve meals to the guests. Entertainers are sourced from the local area and they help provide a day of fun and companionship to many.
Each year the number attending the Luncheon increases, and in 2008 the Committee provided a three course meal for 212 people. 2009, OUR 10TH Anniversary saw us cater to and serve 321 meals to a vast range of people from all walks of life.
Due to the ever increasing numbers, the venue has had to be changed from the Senior Citizen’s Hall to the Monsignor Bones Hall at St Brendan’s Church in Knight Street Shepparton.
This venue will allow the Committee to cater to a larger crowd than in 2008 as due to the economic climate at present a lot more people are doing it tough, especially our farmers and the elderly.
This free luncheon is available to everyone who is going to be home this year, without their family and includes singles, couples, families, homeless, disadvantaged, indigenous, backpackers, the unemployed and our farming families.
The only criteria for attending the Luncheon are that you must be a resident living within the boundaries of the City of Greater Shepparton.
Due to the generosity of the local companies, we are able to provide those who need it with a free pick up and return Bus service; however you must book for this by phoning NICOLE on 5798 9523.
Santa makes a visit on the day and most guests are able to take home a small gift or two.
A Childcare service for the ‘littlies’ is provided if required.
So, don’t sit at home alone or without your family on Christmas Day – come and enjoy a day of fun and food where you just might make some new friends. Lunch is served at 11:30am and the day finishes at 2pm.
The Committee is looking for anyone who can sing, dance or play an instrument, to entertain the guests. We know this is a big ask for you to come out on Christmas Day, but a half hour of your time would be greatly appreciated. If you can help please phone DAVID on 5821 4782.
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