Alofa
Glas and Jason Goodall are business award winners and the owners of the Lone
Star in Pukekohe. Their family decided to do something for other people this
Christmas. Many of their suppliers and
friends got behind their idea, and this year a restaurant Christmas lunch
experience was provided for many who would not otherwise have had the
opportunity.
Their
extended family started work at 6am and produced a great event, also providing
the entertainment.
The
FFSS project Manager Bonnie Reid sent invitations to people, followed up and
where necessary arranged volunteers to provide transport. We began welcoming
guests at 11.00am with lunch served at midday.
Just
as we were about to start one of the family told me a lady had rushed out and
seemed quite upset. I caught up with the guest crying in the car park. I just
stood with them for a bit and was told that they couldn’t cope. They were on
their own, the last member of their family alive, having just lost the sister
not long before Christmas and their parents before last Christmas.
They
were dreading being on their own and were overwhelmed by the happy families.
We
talked a while and I asked if they would be happy sitting with someone who
would look after them. They weren’t sure and were still very upset. I
went in to make the arrangements and whilst explaining to Bonnie became a bit
emotionally overwhelmed myself. Anyway I got the story out and we arranged for
another of our team to look after the guest. They agreed to come back in with
me, and I held her hand whilst we walked through all the people to Yvonne who
with her husband took the guest under their wing.
Before
dessert Father Christmas arrived in a fire engine with lights, siren and
claxon. Well you couldn’t have turned kids on faster, like supercharged
energiser bunnies! Through
the generosity of donors, every child got an appropriate gift and had their
photo taken with a great Santa. The delight was truly heart-warming.
Some
of the guests shared their stories with volunteers as they expressed their
appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to join us for Christmas lunch.
Later
on I saw the guest I mentioned earlier outside again so we had a chat. They were
so afraid of being alone and thought next year they might become a volunteer
after experiencing first-hand what so many volunteers were doing that day. We
talked about that and I offered some ideas and invited them to come by in the
New Year.
Rhys
Coffin from We Love Pukekohe came by and interviewed some of the guests. He was
touched by their stories and got permission from some to relate them on the
site. Andrew Bayly, our local MP came by and spent a lot of time meeting guests
and talking with them.
After
the guests were farewelled and the restaurant was cleared and cleaned, the
family and volunteers still there sat down to have lunch on leftovers. They
were all pleased how well the event had gone. Many were emotionally exhausted,
realising how life really was for many people.
What
a day. We came home and just collapsed, overwhelmed by the whole thing really.
The generosity of those who provided supplies and presents for the children;
the family for their hard work providing the event; the volunteers who helped
provide for so many guests. And the guests themselves who were so appreciative.
All in all a special
day.
