Many Rooms creates many smiles

By Alison Kinkade

Docklands’ church City on a Hill supported the less fortunate on Christmas Day through its charity organisation, Many Rooms.

About 15 volunteers from Many Rooms gave up their Christmas Day with family and friends to host a barbecue at a park in North Melbourne and hand out presents.

The recipients – some homeless and some from public housing – feasted on barbecued lamb, chicken and sausages, as well as salads, Christmas cake and custard and soft drinks.

Many Rooms director Jim Davison said around 50 gifts were generously donated by Docklands residents and given out at the Christmas barbecue and also at a similar event on New Year’s Day.

“People were very appreciative of the gifts and grateful for the time volunteers gave to serve those who don’t have as much,” Mr Davison said.

Though this was not the first time that Many Rooms held a Christmas celebration, it was the first time it had held such an event on the actual day.

“We also ran a barbecue and gave out gifts donated by Docklands residents last year on Boxing Day (a Saturday), which was well attended. This year we spread the celebration over two Saturdays – Christmas Day and New Year’s Day since not all of our regular attendees were available on Christmas Day.”

Many Rooms was launched in November 2009 as an initiative of City on a Hill. Each Saturday since its launch about 11 volunteers prepare a cooked lunch for 30-40 people at the North Melbourne Community Centre.

To find out more about Many Rooms or to volunteer visit http://www.manyrooms.org.au/

City on a Hill meets in Docklands every Sunday night at 6pm and at Hoyts Cinema in Melbourne Central on Sunday mornings at 10am.