VIC: Volunteers ensure the needy don t miss out at Christmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-1998
VIC: Volunteers ensure the needy don t miss out at Christmas

MELBOURNE, Dec 25 AAP - As families around Australia sat down to Christmas lunch,
hundreds of volunteers ensured those without families or homes had a place to feel welcome.

In Melbourne, lunches ranged from a feast for the needy at the Sacred Heart Mission, to an
alcohol, drugs and gambling-free Christmas for 100 clients and their families at the Salvation
Army's Bridge Centre.

Australian cricket team members, awaiting tomorrow's fourth Ashes test, shared a family
Christmas lunch.

Santa also made his annual visit to distribute presents at the Royal Children's Hospital,
arriving on a vintage fire engine.

This year, the 70th year the Metropolitan Fire Brigade has ensured Santa arrived on time,
he was accompanied by a band.

At the Sacred Heart Mission, Santa arrived with gifts and Christmas cheer for almost 600
homeless and hungry people who were given a hot, sit-down lunch by the mission team and 35
volunteers.

Dining hall manager Charlie Galea said the lunch included roast turkey and ham, Christmas
pudding and brandy sauce.

"The volunteers are serving the people to give them a bit of dignity," he said.

At Prahran town hall 450 pensioners were served a hot lunch by 30 volunteers, and danced
with visiting firemen and police officers.

Ozanam Community Centre staff and volunteers catered for 600 people at five sittings,
three for a hot lunch and two for a cold tea, with crackers on the tables and gifts for each
person.

The Salvation Army was also providing Christmas joy to those in need, with 60 homeless men
at the new Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation enjoying their lunch in the modern surroundings.

Meanwhile, Victorian Governor Sir James Gobbo revived an old Christmas tradition today ,
visiting the Mercy Hospital for Women in East Melbourne early this morning.

The hospital was visited by the State Governor on Christmas day each year until 1974.

AAP sjg

KEYWORD: XMAS VIC

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