Community
24 November, 2023
Wheely good Christmas
HUNDREDS of clients and volunteers of Cairns Meals on Wheels gathered this week at Cazalys to celebrate the Christmas cheer at the organisation’s annual Christmas party.
Meals on Wheels celebrated its annual Christmas party at Cazalys on Tuesday (November 21), holding one of its biggest turnouts to date with almost 300 people, between clients, their families, staff and volunteers.
Mayor Terry James, Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch attended the event and highlighted the efforts of the not-for-profit Cairns Meals on Wheels in the community.
“We always have a celebration for our clients and volunteers every Christmas, but we usually have two separate events but this year we decided to put them together,” Cairns Meals on Wheels president Pat Bailey said.
“This means that our clients get to catch up with their deliverers and it’s so rewarding to see them catch up.
“Cazalys has been amazing and we’re very grateful they have given us a space where they can all come together.”
Newly appointed general manager Chris Van Dorssen said it had been a very successful party.
“We had some lucky door prizes, a $50 voucher from Coles Cairns Central that they donated to us, and $100 from Woolworths Earlville and three passes for the boxing day Taipans game and more raffles for our clients and volunteers to pick up,” he said.
“It’s good to come together and enjoy a little friendship and camaraderie, none of this would get done without the amazing staff and volunteers and that’s what we celebrate today; it’s important to meet once in a while, and reminisce especially with our older clients.
“Merry Christmas Cairns and if you’d like to volunteer this end of the year, come to us and help the community.”
