<< Peninsula New 14 May 2007 - Mary Macs celebrates >>

Mary Macs celebrates

Mary Macs Place will be celebrating Volunteers Week with an afternoon tea at their new home in the St John the Baptist Parish community centre during May.

The occasion will be a "house warming" for the 60 volunteers of Mary Mac's Place who will be relocating to the new Parish Centre in a few weeks.

The afternoon tea is on Tuesday, May 15, and will be hosted by Mary Mac's Place Steering Committee members including member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews and Cr Chris Holstein.

Volunteers Week runs from May 14 to 20 and provides a national focus for organisations wanting to recruit volunteers and promote the value of volunteering to the community.

Mary Mac's Place is a voluntary organisation offering relief from the trauma and stresses associated with homelessness, social isolation and financial disadvantage.

Mary Mac's Place representative Ms Robyn Schacht said the centre provided a welcoming environment with social support, information and referrals to appropriate community services.

"Our dedicated and hard-working volunteers do amazing work in preparing and serving hot, nutritious midday meals, Monday to Friday, to homeless and socio/economically disadvantaged people of all ages," Ms Schacht said.

Last year alone, Mary Mac's Place served over 8000 meals to families and individuals in need.

"As Mary Mac's Place receives no ongoing government funding, we are dependEnt on the generosity and goodwill of individuals, groups and businesses in our community for financial support," Ms Schacht said.

Some of the Peninsula businesses sponsoring Mary Mac's Place include Umina Mall Cake Shop, Brumby's Bakery Woy Woy and Deepwater Plaza stores Peters Meats, Quick Serve Fruit & Veg and Michel's Patisserie.

For more information on Mary Mac's Place telephone Robyn Schacht on 4341 0584.

All donations are tax deductible and can be forwarded to PO Box 264, Woy Woy.

Clare Graham, 11 May 2007