Helping at lunch will put spring in step, says volunteer

The Viaduct Event Centre opened its doors today for 2500 guests for the Annual Community Christmas lunch by Auckland City Mission. Photo / Nick Reed

Among the hundreds of volunteers at the annual Auckland City Mission Christmas lunch will be one long-time regular - former engineer and soldier Henry Mariassouce is clocking up his 15th year at the event.

Over the years he's worked at the lunch as a security guard, a backstage assistant and in his current role as an events duty manager and operations aide.

This year he will be one of the key people at the Viaduct Events Centre on Christmas morning making sure it all runs smoothly.

Having given up his time free of charge to the festive event each year, Mr Mariassouce says it's no big deal. "It's not really a hardship for me, I enjoy it."

Mr Mariassouce says although things can get a little "mad" on the day, it's good to play a role in the mission's good work. He encourages others to give it a go. "Just come down one ... Christmas day and you will go away with a spring in your step."

This year's volunteers are already all hands on deck at the City Mission headquarters as the big day draws closer.

The City Missioner, Dame Diane Robertson, said that four days out from the event things were still a little "hectic".

"It's like an instant pop-up restaurant for 2000 people."

To feed the thousands the mission has ordered 2000 chicken drumsticks, 300kg of ham, 300kg of potatoes and 240kg of kumara.

"It's not really a hardship for me, I enjoy it," says Henry Mariassouce. Photo / Jason Oxenham

For dessert, there is 380 litres of ice-cream, 100 litres of fruit, 150 litres of jelly and 2500 slices of Christmas cake.

Even after having spent the better part of two decades running the event, Dame Diane said it was always a huge effort to ensure the day went well.

Today, City Mission workers will be going in to prepare for the big day, with volunteers coming in on Christmas Eve to help with the food preparation.

On the day, cooking begins as early as 6am before doors open at 11.30. Santa is due at 1.30pm to hand out gifts to guests and the day ends about 2pm.

Dame Diane said it was all part of the mission's belief that no one should eat alone on Christmas Day.

"It is not about people being hungry, it's not only about poverty, it's about the spirit of Christmas and about celebrating together."

The preparations have kept Dame Diane so busy she said it hadn't hit home that she wouldn't be back. She is stepping down after 17 years leading the City Mission. "I don't have time to think about it ... maybe next Christmas you can ask me if I feel limbless because I'm not there."