The Helensville/Parakai Christmas Day Lunch was held at the War Memorial Hall in Helensville. Some one hundred and twenty locals sat sown to a traditional Christmas Lunch of glazed ham, roast vegetables, salads, lots of local strawberries and dessert. Special thanks to Debs and Pat for taking charge of the salads and desserts and creating some magic from “not much”.
Sheriff Pete Brennan and Bill in his third year as the roast vegetable minder. It is truly amazing the generosity of the local community in providing everything from the best home cook Christmas cakes and pavlovas on the planet to fabulous floral arrangements and table posies, thanks to Jackie Milne and Glen.
The kindness and generosity of ordinary families who donated canned foods, home preserves of jams and chutneys for the food boxes to the six dollars left in change at the Hospice Shop towards the lunch, it all helped.
Helpers were again only too willing to lend a hand throughout the days in preparing food to setting tables and cleaning it all up afterwards. The Helensville flaxroot community owe themselves a pat on the back for turning up and helping make Christmas a gentler, kinder day for those who for various reasons sometimes find Christmas a stressful time they can do without.
Thanks to the Library ladies, Pauline at the Art Centre, Irene and Doreen Hogan and Bea. You helped make it all happen. The lunch is generated at a local level and the Parakai Springs Hot Pools for their generosity in pool vouchers must acknowledge recognition. Some of the kiddies were totally thrilled to earn passes by answering water safety questions and singing a Christmas Carol.
Thank you also to Whitcoulls Books and Stationery in providing substantial writing materials. These items were in place of any Christmas gifts. Ch’i International, Morris and James Pottery of Matakana, The Helensville District 
Health Trust, Countdown for the gracious contribution, The Hospice shop on Mill Road for their help and support. Thank you to the offices who allowed their places to be a ‘registration’ point, The Women and Family Centre, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Te Ha Oranga O Ngati Whatua and Te Whare Oranga in Parakai. All of this is underpinned by the generous support of the Lions Club of Helensville, Nagati Whatua O Kaipara and the Office of the Prime Minister.
All I can say is that I firmly believe the Christmas Lunch is a positive initiative for our community. That Helensville and Parakai and outlying areas are in good hands when it comes to an initiative driven by our own community.
If anyone out there may have broom cupboard space for storage for Christmas items would be so much appreciated. They need not be disturbed until next Christmas
Raewyn T. Mercer, Coordinator. 021 182 0470
