Volunteers Redcliffe Community Christmas

THANK YOU! To everyone who has shown their support of the 2023 Redcliffe Community Christmas Lunch. We have now reached the capacity of our Volunteer roles for people assisting at the lunch on Christmas Day. If you'd still like to assist in making this event a special day, please see our list of Donation Items that you could support us in providing for the day. This list is available at our Facebook Event here.

For over 10 years the Redcliffe Community Christmas Lunch has been helping spread Christmas cheer to those who may have fallen on hard times or are simply alone at Christmas. We are now calling on volunteers to help give someone a memorable Christmas.

If you would like to volunteer just a few hours of your time on Christmas Day please complete the free registration here. 

Christmas is a much-loved tradition spent with our closest family and friends exchanging presents enjoying Christmas lunch.  These are simple pleasures that we often take for granted.  However, for many people living in our community, Christmas is just another day. 

Over 200 disadvantaged or lonely people from Redcliffe will be welcomed to enjoy a two–course lunch, beverages, festive entertainment, children’s activities, and all the fun trimmings of a Queensland Christmas Day Lunch.

For more than 10 years, this event has run thanks to the generosity of our local community – particularly volunteers. You are invited to come along and lend a helping hand at the annual Redcliffe Christmas Community Lunch, and spread some Christmas cheer to those that need it the most. 

There are a number of roles that we need help with to ensure that the day runs smoothly.  Some of these roles include:

Table Hosts – Each table of guests will be allocated a Table Host.  The Table Host will be responsible for seating our guests, serving lunch, clearing the table, and most importantly ensuring that everyone has a great time.

Catering & Cleaning Crew – We require helping hands to assist with serving food and beverages, clearing plates and recycling from tables, and cleaning up afterwards in the kitchen, and tidying up the auditorium after use.

Santa’s Helpers – Santa’s Helpers will assist with coordination of children’s activities, decorating tables, assisting our entertainment, and welcoming our guests. And we’re looking for a certain Jolly fellow, for a very special Jolly job on the day too!

Set Up & Pack Down Crew – We have a small window of time to set up the event in the morning, and must tidy, clean up and return furniture to its place within the auditorium.

General Helper - General helpers will be those people that can spare a few hours who can help with a number of different roles including helping man the registration desk, packing up, and everything in between.

In return for your generosity, you will enjoy Christmas lunch, receive a Certificate of Appreciation, plus the gratitude of over 200 appreciative guests.

There will be a Volunteer Meet & Greet session at Redcliffe Uniting Church at 5:30pm on Thursday 21st December. At this session, volunteers registering to attend the day will be able to gather and debrief with our event planning committee, about roles and responsibilities on Christmas Day. Volunteers are encouraged to attend this debriefing session, but it is not a condition of registering to be a volunteer.

VOLUNTEERS If you’re availability is confirmed for Christmas Day, and you would like to volunteer, please complete the registration form before by Friday 8th December 2023. Click the green Register button to complete.

SPONSORING THIS EVENT If you'd like to pledge your support as a community Sponsor of this event, please contact Shane Newcombe on 0407 288 200 or shane.newcombe@mbrit.com.au

FAQs

Q. What are the times to volunteer?

Please view our registration section to see times and roles you can indicate as a preference.

Q. All of the volunteer shifts are 1.5 hours but I will only be available for certain times that don't match the shifts. Is it possible to volunteer still and leave at a different time?

Yes, please select a General Helper role only if you aren't able to join us for specific times that match up to program timing.

Q. Is volunteering suitable for my children as well? 

We appreciate including children in showcasing the Redcliffe community spirit, especially at Christmas, however volunteers must be aged over 16 years of age to participate on the day. 

Q. Can I donate food for use on the day? 

We are in need of certain edible and food service related items for the day only. These items will help create a wonderful celebration for guests. If you aren't able to donate these items, we suggest you donate them to one our local community groups looking for food stuffs. Suggestions: The Breakfast Club (Redcliffe), Encircle Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre pantry.

Food and service related items required for the Redcliffe Christmas Community Lunch are:

• Bags of lollies of any size, 
• Potato or vegetable crisps,
• Unopened boxes of Christmas Bon-Bons,
• Christmas Stocking Lolly packs - for the kids to receive from the big Jolly fellow,
• Sealed tins of Shortbread biscuits - tins are important for future storage purposes, 
• 400 x Paper Serviettes in Christmas colours, 250 x Paper/Compostable Plates, 250 x Disposable Cutlery Sets, 100 x Paper/Compostable bowls (suitable for holding crisps & lollies), 500 x Disposable Cups,
• Disposable gloves
• 25 x Large bottles Ginger Ale, 
• 25 x Soda Water or Lemonade,
• 50 x Large long life, tinned or bottles of tropical juice of any flavour combinations e.g. pineapple, apple, mango/pine, tropical. Juice must not require refrigeration.
• Packets of Kids Poppers/Juice boxes

If you’d like to donate items from the above list, contact our event coordinator to discuss. Contact Kirsty Fields from Social Ocean on info@socialocean.com.au. There will be an updated list of donation item requirements maintained in the Facebook event ahead of the day to avoid double-ups. Drop-off points around Redcliffe are currently being negotiated.

Q. Can I donate some old or new gifts for Santa to give away?

No. If you have any used items suitable for donation, we suggest you donate them to one our local community groups that have facilities to distribute items who are looking for these types of items. Suggestions: My Preloved Wardrobe - clothing items for children and adults (Clontarf), Lifeline Charity Bins.

If you have new items suitable for donation the Redcliffe Community Care Network is currently seeking donations for all suburbs of Redcliffe.

Q. Do I need to have a Working With Children Blue Card?

No. Children attending as guests will be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The 2023 Redcliffe Christmas Community Lunch is proudly supported by: