Newsletter February 2017
Kia Ora, greetings everyone.
Christmas, New Year, Holidays: The Community House has been closed for a long break over Christmas and so most are refreshed and ready to meet whatever 2017 brings. We trust everyone has enjoyed the break and had time to relax and unwind, perhaps even go away on holiday or just spend time with friends and family. Of course sometimes there are those who, for one reason or another, Christmas and New Year does not bring happiness or good times, so we send our wishes and prayers to those who have had to deal with illness, sadness and grief.
Luncheon: On the first Wednesday of February a happy group of local seniors enjoyed our first lunch for the year and it was nice to see many catching up with friends to share their Christmas stories. The delicious fruit cake provided for morning tea along with biscuits tea, coffee or juice sets the mood for entertainment or interesting speakers. This time we were entertained by two talented young men from YWAM, singing and playing songs from well-known artists including Elvis Presley. Thank you both very much, we enjoyed it as much as you appeared to. Then at 12 o’clock the simple but wholesome meal is served followed by dessert. Our own super organiser does a wonderful job every month and is helped by her team of volunteers. We wonder if there is someone out there who might like the challenge of organising and preparing for this event. The seniors lunch is always on the first Wednesday each month. Phone the Community House to find out more.
Fun: Next is the first ‘Chocolate Bingo’ for the year, the third Wednesday. We are looking for a volunteer who would like to run this. What does it involve? We provide tea, coffee and biscuits to be set out for morning tea at 10am, a few minutes’ chat time, and then its eyes down to the Bingo cards. Lucky winners receive chocolates and everyone has a really good time. Again this provides an outing, a chance to meet up with others and just enjoy some fun.
If you are interested this would take just two hours once a month at the Footprints Room, Holy Trinity Church, Hurndall Street.
Down to Business:
OCS is running smoothly with our focus on the health and well-being of FAMILY; with the main focus on children. Our services are well utilised and feed-back shows a good level of success. We have our own place in the Spark ‘Givealittle’ page now where anyone can make donations to the agency by way of Givealittle.co.nz. Some people find it helpful to be able to make donations confidentially. Our staff members continue attending training which provides them with the latest resources and knowledge in their respective fields and we are pleased to be a part of the Design Team setting up the Government’s initiative for Childrens’ Teams. The teams around the country are to improve outcomes for vulnerable children. We look forward to the Kaipara Services and Agencies being a part of their own Childrens’ Team.
We aim to provide the best service we can to the Otamatea community. Best wishes, OCS.