Tauranga community dinner at St Peters happens with volunteers stepping up to the plate
25 Dec, 2020 03:20 AM
3 minutes to read
Volunteers Kate Johansson (left) and Spencer Penman, 17. Photo / George Novak
Three times the number of people needed volunteered to help serve up a special dinner at St Peters annual Community Christmas Dinner.
To maintain the church s 31-year tradition, the St Peters team planned to box meals for pick-up should the country move in Covid-19 alert levels.
But Christmas magic meant the 200 people who registered were able to be served up a feast by volunteers, with enough food for 300.
Volunteers were made up of a total of 150 people who were split across crews that prepped the food and set up the tables.
A Christmas thank you to Bay of Plenty people working this festive period
20 Dec, 2020 02:00 AM
9 minutes to read
This time of year is traditionally spent with family, friends and loved ones. But in some industries, staff are rostered on to work this festive period while the rest of us take a well-earned break. Zoe Hunter chats to the dedicated staff working this Christmas.
Renee van der Weijde has worked Christmas Day for the past four years.
But the manager of Wanderlust NZ on The Strand says she doesn t mind because she gets to bring people together and make sure no-one feels lonely at Christmas.