JourneyOnline
OVER 50 volunteers made sure that people were not left alone on Christmas Day on the Gold Coast.
The Never Alone Friendship Centre, an outreach of the Burleigh Heads Uniting Church, provided lunch for 70 people from the community who would otherwise have spent a very lonely Christmas Day.
Speaking to Journey, cofounder and chairman of the Centre Neville Free said that this was the third year the Centre had provided a Christmas Day lunch for the lonely, isolated and homeless in the community.
"Christmas can be a very emotional time for many and to have to spend it alone can be very depressing,” said Mr Free.
“Our aim is to ensure we maintain the spirit of the season and make the day happy and memorable for as many people as we can.
“This year, and with the help of many volunteers from the community, donations of money and food, we were able to provide a three course meal, entertainment and some fun on the day.
"We were encouraged again this year by the number of people who were willing to give up their Christmas Day to ensure others less fortunate enjoyed theirs.
“Individuals and families joined in to host, serve and entertain.”
The Never Alone Friendship Centre operates from the Burleigh Heads Uniting Church each Wednesday from 9am until noon and provides fellowship, games, craft and other activities for anyone who would like to drop in.
Photo : Some of the guests and volunteers at the Christmas Day lunch. Photo courtesy of Neville Free
