This year's Samaritan Christmas Lunch will be held at a new venue and take on a new format with Christmas Lunch A Picnic at Singleton Showground.
Thanks to Northern Agricultural Association( NAA), managers of the showground, the plans are well underway for guests to collect a hamper, picnic rug, and gifts to enjoy on the lawn area, under the shade of the Showground's established trees on Christmas Day.
The Lunch is inclusive and organised specifically for those who may otherwise be unable to celebrate.
"We are so grateful to the Association in partnering with us and astounded at their generosity to come on board as in-kind sponsor for 2021," said Event Coordinator, Kim-Cherie Davidson.
2021 has been an unpredictable year and all organisations have needed to adapt and pivot quickly.
The Picnic concept has been created for Samaritans to deliver Christmas cheer socially as a picnic or under health-order restrictions as an express lunch and gift pick up on Christmas Day to keep the community safe.
For a number of year's this popular event was held at the Senior Citizens Centre in Bathurst Street and last year due to COVID-19 restrictions attendees were able to pick-up a Christmas lunch hamper and gifts from the centre to enjoy back at their homes.
NAA president David Williams OAM said the Association had received several state and federal grants during the past 18 months and wanted to give back to the community.
"When we heard the Lunch was looking for a new home for the flexible concept, we put up our hand to help. We saw it as an opportunity to support the town by helping those less fortunate during Christmas. It is a great thing to give at this time of year," Mr. Williams said.
On Christmas Day between 11am and 1pm, hampers with food, drinks, picnic blankets, and gifts, can be collected from the bistro under the Showground's grandstand to enjoy on the adjacent lawn under the shady trees, or taken to the guest's preferred location.
Again, this year's Lunch works in partnership with the Anglican Parish of Singleton under Reverend Michelle HazelJawhary, and to date has been supported by Mt Owen Glendell Operations - Glencore, Yancoal - Mt Thorley Warkworth, BHP, Thiess and the Bloomfield Group Foundation. "
The event is just not possible without the generosity of the local Parish, sponsors, supporters and volunteers. We are asking the local community to help where they can as a sponsor, donor or volunteer," Ms Davidson said.
Christmas Picnic Lunch in Singleton will be at the Singleton Showground from 11am to 1pm on Christmas Day.
To be a sponsor, donor, volunteer email kimcherie.davidson@samaritans.org.au or phone 0427 867 969.
