Aussie Clubs Remember the Elderly

Many Australian Quota clubs remember the elderly at Christmas. Enjoy these stories of Quota's special Christmas Caring from these clubs:

• Bateman's Bay
• Mackay
• Murgon

The Bateman's Bay Quota club holds an Oldies Lunch that draws 100 percent attendance among members. The club invites local seniors to lunch and cooks a delicious meal. Members collect all those attending from their homes and bring them to a local church hall, where members serve and pamper their special guests.

The club distributes gifts and leads everyone in singing well-loved songs and carols. The event always includes entertainment as well. And, at the end of the afternoon, the members drive their guests back home.

The project fosters tremendous fellowship among members, so they refuse to limit it to Christmas. The other annual Oldies Lunch is held on Mother's Day.

The Mackay Quota club holds an annual Christmas party for some 70 elderly citizens who live alone in their own homes. Members make a special effort to make their guests feel welcome, first by visiting and personally inviting them to come. On the day of the event, members pick up their guests in a bus, assisting them as needed, and leading them in song all the way to the feast of turkey, ham, reef fish, salads, and sweets. Traditional plum pudding and trifle are always served!

Since Aussie Christmas comes in summer, the event is usually held in the garden of one of the members' homes. After entertainment, the club offers gifts to their guests as well as a photo from the event, and members drive them home. "Guests look forward to this yearly celebration with old friends," says club member Lyn Coburn, "and no one is short on conversation!"

The Murgon Quota club's favorite service project includes residents of the Castra Aged People's Home. The club offers Christmas gifts and continues to remember residents throughout the year by providing needed furnishings, such as chairs for their chapel, serving regularly at the home's "Happy Hour," and bringing flowers on Mother's Day and Father's Day.