<< Peninsula New 11 December 2006 - Homeless treated to Christmas lunch >>

Homeless treated to Christmas lunch

Mary Mac's Place will treat about 200 homeless and disadvantaged people of the area to a Christmas lunch at the Peninsula Community Centre this year.

This year's Christmas Lunch will be hosted by St John the Baptist Parish Priest, Fr John Hill.

Special guests will include Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews, Gosford mayor Cr Laurie Maher and his wife Helen, and the chairman of Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club Mr John Houtman.

"Helen Maher has a special interest, having been a previous project officer for Mary Mac's Place," said the current project officer Ms Robyn Schacht.

"Santa will pay a visit with gifts, courtesy of St John the Baptist Parish Craft and Hobby Group, Catholic Women's League - Terrigal, and The Body Shop, Erina.

"Members of St John the Baptist Parish Music Ministry will add a festive note to the occasion with music and Christmas carols."

"Mary Mac's Place is a project of St John the Baptist Parish, supported by Centacare Broken Bay and St Vincent de Paul Society which provides nutritious meals to homeless and disadvantaged people, as well as support, information and referrals to appropriate community services," Ms Schacht said.

"The 50 dedicated Mary Mac's Place volunteers regularly serve over 800 meals a month to people in need.

"Mary Mac's Place, Woy Woy, is dependant on the support and generosity of clubs, businesses, groups and individuals to continue and expand their vital service to the community."

Ms Schacht said Michel's Patisserie and Peter's Meats, Umina Mall Cake Shop, B&M Butchers Umina, McDonalds Woy Woy, The Lions Club, Rotary Club and House of Praise Christian Fellowship had all given strong support to the Christmas lunch, and throughout the year."

She said major clubs on the Peninsula had rallied strongly behind this year's Christmas lunch.

"Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club, Everglades Country Club and Woy Woy Leagues Club are providing invaluable financial support, along with Central Coast Community Chest, who donate funds to local charities through their participating company's payroll deduction scheme.

"Without the most generous support of all these clubs, and Central Coast Community Chest, Mary Mac's Place would be unable to provide this special Christmas lunch for the many families and individuals in our community who are struggling to make ends meet, and facing a very bleak Christmas."

Ms Schacht said Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club would be providing up to 200 meals.

"The Club's executive chef Mr Clinton Brown has designed a delicious festive meal of chicken, ham and gourmet salads for the 200 people expected at the Peninsula Community Centre on December 18," Ms Schacht said.

Press release, December 6 Robyn Schacht, Mary Mac's Place