Kitchen Packs & More

The MU/Caritas Groups of Bendigo Anglican Diocese decided to carry out a “Pampering” day for our “sisters” in the Kerang area who have suffered quite severely through the recent years of drought. Bishop Ron Stone put us in contact with Mary Fenton, a farmer in Kerang, as she has the reputation of being a “helping angel” to people in need in that area.

A small committee headed by Ronda Gault (MU Bendigo Diocesan President) and Dawn Keath (Bendigo Diocesan Caritas Leader) met with Mary and her helpers in Kerang several times to plan the D’Lovely Day. The last planning meeting was held in the Dingwell Hall and this was a “sorting” day. We had a car and trailer loaded with gifts for the ladies and these had to be sorted into the blue MU bags. The gifts were all donated by members/family and friends of MU/Caritas Bendigo. This was an amazing and very pleasing response to our call for help with this project. Many of the gifts were everyday basic goods that we required, but along with those items came some really special things like perfume, etc.

The day before we left for Dingwell, we had lots of soup, sandwiches, scones and slices donated by our members and Mary’s friends for the catering on the big day, and here we must give thanks to everyone who helped with this incredible occasion.

By the time the guests arrived the hall was all set up with professionals who carried out Hairdressing, Make-up, Colour Imaging, Foot Spa and Massage, Hand Massage and Shoulder Massage. (All of the above operators donated their time to this successful day)

On arrival the guests were treated to singing, lead by a MU member, then it was on to Laughter Therapy (once again the leader had donated her time). When this was finished it was time for a “cuppa” and lovely fresh scones and nut rolls.

The guests then made their way around all that was on offer and much laughter and chatter followed. Most of the guests visited each site and availed herself of the “pampering” that was on offer!!!

After a lunch of soup, sandwiches and slices the ladies were presented with a huge bag of goodies plus a box of slices to take home to share. What a happy crowd of both participants and helpers!!!
We said hello to “strangers” in the morning and said good bye to “friends” in the afternoon!!

A big thank you to all who helped our day be such a wonderful success, especially for the Kerang “helping angel” Mary Fenton. She taught us well and hopefully we will be able to repeat this outreach exercise in a different area in 2011.

(June Prior)

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