Report on The Big Give - Christmas Day 2016

Posted by John Lynch
 
Suzanne Murphy, Maria Pires-Armstrong and Ann & John Lynch were Table Hosts at the Annual Big Give hosted by St Mary's House of Welcome at Fitzroy Town Hall for 300 homeless and disadvantaged people.
 
The success of the day was made possible by all the donations, big and small received by St Mary's. We must acknowledge the generosity of members of the Rotary Club Of Nunawading.
 
For Ann and me it was a very eye-opening experience (despite the hot weather) and it makes you realise how a seemingly innocuous change in Government policy can have a hugely negative impact on a man's life. One of my guests is deaf and he was taken off a Disability Pension and placed on the NewStart Allowance. He has been homeless for 17 years and, when his hearing aid was damaged, he could not afford to replace it.
 
All the guests were extremely grateful for a delicious three course meal and gifts to help them out. If only we could do this every day of the year!