Crisis Christmas 2008
23-29 December, 2008
Rough Sleeper's Centre, North Acton, London
Post-event news in London Global Times, EU Chinese Journal and China Times
CIAC Volunteers on the Frontline with CRISIS Christmas 2008 for the Homeless
Volunteers from the Chinese Information and Advice Centre (CIAC) joined CRISIS Christmas 2008 in the kitchen at the Rough Sleepers Centre, North Acton, Ealing during the recent Christmas festive season. At the same time, CIAC volunteers came together to raise funds for CIAC to help its charitable activities.
Friends, supporters and staff members of CIAC volunteered with CRISIS to prepare hot meals for the homeless during the coldest days of the recent Christmas winter. Everyone gave up their time during the recent Christmas holidays and rolled up their sleeves to help in the kitchen.
The scene was seemingly quite chaotic but fun. CIAC’s Chair Mr. Edmond Yeo led as the Kitchen Leader/Chef role together with 10 amateur cooks who came from all walks of life to cook up the evening’s dinner. The mission was to deliver a hot meal for each of the 500 people by 7pm on Christmas Day. Volunteers were divided into teams. Some were tasked with marinating the meat while others cut up the vegetables. There were also others who prepared the soup and dessert for the evening.
The hygiene and safety level of all the food cooked was monitored before serving to the guests.
After the cooking, the kitchen team started to get busy with the cleaning down. Pots, pans and trays were piled up for washing.
There were complimentary comments said to the kitchen team such as, “This is the best meal I’ve ever had for my Christmas. Thank you.” All the kitchen shouting, sweat and tired arms and legs were then forgotten and replaced with a flow of warmth and smiles on the faces.
A volunteer said, "I think it is a good chance to have an experience in cooking for the homeless people together with other volunteers. Every volunteer had different background but one same warm heart. We tried our best to prepare the meals within the scheduled time; we needed not only to cooperate and share but also to help and care about each other as some volunteers would get hurt during their shifts, such as burns or cut wounds on fingers or things that got into the eyes. After the hard work, we took a rest and tasted what we had cooked. The taste of the food was not perfect but full of love, which warmed up everyone's heart!"
CIAC are grateful for all the support we have received, including generous donations from Her Majesties Prison Service (HMPS) Wandsworth Staff members. Please join us to give what you can spare and help to make a difference in other people’s lives. We welcome volunteers to help us in our charitable activities. Please see www.ciac.co.uk or contact us on 08453 131 868.
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For detailed information about CRISIS, please go to www.crisis.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 800646
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