Ainslie Village manager, Terri Stiller, adding the final touches to the table setting
On Christmas day 2013, Argyle Community Housing and St. Vincent De Paul put on a Christmas lunch. Out of 112 people who attended, 71 were residents and 41 were non-residents. Take away containers were also done for about 40 late comers.
It was lovely to welcome the family members of the residents who came to spend Christmas with their loved ones.
In keeping with the Christmas spirit, the dining room was decked out with hundreds of lights and plenty of tinsel. The tables were covered in chocolates, lollies and popcorn and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner.
The food was donated by Argyle Community Housing and the Sheikhs, a very generous local Canberra family. The Sheikhs purchased the Turkish feast from the Turkish Halal Pide House, Yarralumla, ACT. For the main course there was ham, chicken, salads and a great array of Turkish food. For dessert, everyone tucked into cheesecakes, Christmas cakes, ice cream, custard and baklava. The food was served with a smile by volunteers from St Vincent De Paul Society, Ainslie Village Staff and their family and friends, and the Sheikh family.
All who attended received a gift bag containing a variety of goodies donated by Argyle Community Housing Ltd., St Vincent De Paul Society, Hepatitis Resource Centre ACT, ACT Fire and Rescue, ACT Dental Services, ACT Centenary Department, Happy Smiles Dental and Ainslie IGA.
Resident feedback included- this was the best Christmas lunch they have had in many years; the room had a wonderful atmosphere and you could tell it was done with care and love; the room decorations were the best they had seen in years.
A big thank you goes out to all who attended, the volunteers, all the organisations who donated for the Christmas presents and the Sheikh family for providing such a delicious meal. It was a wonderful, festive day and we all look forward to doing it again next year!
