Two of the Christmas breakfast organisers, Mike Paora and Gary Younger, helped deliver Christmas cheer last year. This year they hope even more families will take part.
Two of the Christmas breakfast organisers, Mike Paora and Gary Younger, helped deliver Christmas cheer last year. This year they hope even more families will take part.
Events in Northland on Christmas Day will be offering free food, entertainment, and companionship for all, with the aim of spreading festive spirit.
The community Christmas barbecue breakfast will be held at Whangārei’s Laurie Hall Park from 8am. Families and individuals are welcome, said one organiser Gary Younger.
The aim is to have a fun, friendly and festive morning in the company of the wider community, sharing food and possibly a couple of gifts, he said.
The event was started last year by a group of friends informally called the Dead Parents Society, as each had lost at least one parent and wanted to show they were good children and good citizens, Younger said.
The event was organised at the very last-minute last year but 60 to 80 volunteers got involved, benefitting about 80 community members.
This year, Younger hoped more families will come along to enjoy the festivities.
Food on offer includes mince and fry bread, bacon and egg butties, sandwiches, baking and sweets, but more donations of food are always welcome, he said.
Last year’s inaugural community Christmas barbecue breakfast at Laurie Hall Park involved about 150 people, either as volunteers or recipients.
Meanwhile, a Christmas Day lunch in Dargaville is about reaching those who are less fortunate or lonely, said organiser Petrina Sullivan from Te Korowai o Ihu Karaiti Ministries.
“There’s so much going on with the Government cuts and prices are sky-rocketing - this is to reach the ones that really need it.”
Held at Dargaville’s Nazarene Hall on Grey Street from 12.30pm, the lunch has been running for six years, with just under 200 taking part last year, she said.
Sullivan runs the lunch with help from the community - including local performers - but donations of food or funds are very much welcome.
“I’m just working on faith - I don’t have any money for it: I believe it will just show up. Any organisations that want to donate anything will be really appreciated.”
Te Korowai o Ihu Karaiti Ministries will also hold a free Christmas dinner in Whangārei on December 20. It will be held at Hope Church, 1 Hunt St, from 5.30pm.
Anyone wanting to help or donate to Te Korowai o Ihu Karaiti Ministries can email christmasdargaville@outlook.com to get in touch.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
