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Last year’s free Orewa Community Christmas Lunch was one of the biggest and best in its 15-year history, attended by around 170 people who may otherwise have spent Christmas Day alone.
The task of organising the lunch for the Salt Community Trust is in the safe hands of a team of four lead by director Aaron Brett – the same team who ran the event last year.
Coordinating sponsors and a group of around 30 volunteers to provide a free festive lunch for so many people is a big job, but one that Aaron, who first got involved last year, finds immensely satisfying.
He says highlights included meeting some wonderful people.
“I think going beyond your comfort zone and helping other people is one of the great things about life,” he says. “In giving, you receive. Jesus said the same thing – he was onto something.”
He says that last year the Salt Community Trust had wonderful support and sponsorship from local churches and businesses, including Pak ‘n’ Save Silverdale, Fruit World and Orewa New World.
Together, the sponsors provided all the festive food, including chicken, hams, pavlova and fresh fruit needed to make the occasion special.
Volunteers set up and decorate the Orewa Community Centre, where the lunch is held, prepare, cook and serve the meal, chat with guests and clean up afterwards.
Rodney MP Mark Mitchell also attended with his family.
“Mark and his family rolled up their sleeves and worked so hard helping serve and clean up the kitchen,” Aaron says. “Mark was surprised at the scale of the lunch and said he loved helping out and would be back this year.”
Aaron says that the lunch show how many locals are without family on Christmas Day. Some return every year, and Aaron says they commented on the fellowship, the beautiful festive decorations and great food.
Aaron says there is generally no shortage of volunteers, but anyone interested in volunteering this year can email their interest to info@salttrust.org.nz
The Christmas Day lunch is held at Orewa Community Hall, 368 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa, 11.30am–2.30pm.
