In all the pleasure and joy of Christmas Day it’s easy to forget those people whose experience of the day is very different – the lonely and the poor who can’t afford turkey let alone the trimmings.
But, thankfully, there are people such as Charlene Novak, a 34-year-old mother-of-four, who every year together with a group of volunteers and her family organise a Christmas Day celebration for people who would otherwise be on their own or who can’t afford traditional Christmas fare.
She organises the Christmas meal at 1pm at the Jubilee Centre, Market Street, Paddock, with more than 100 guests arriving from 12.30pm.
She said: “Anyone who has ever been part of the Jubilee Centre Christmas Celebration, either as a guest or volunteer, loves the experience and really enjoys their Christmas Day.”
Celebrations started with guests being welcomed in and greeted with a special welcome drink before being shown to their seats.
This was followed by a three-course dinner being served and afterwards with carol singing, a visit from Father Christmas, a magician and bingo.
Charlene, of Meltham Road, Huddersfield, added: “Then there is tea and coffee, good company and love – on constant flow all day!”
Of course, such a day can only work with lots of help from 35 kind-hearted volunteers who start preparing the event much earlier as well as drivers who provide transport and people who give generously of food and money.
There is no charge for the many guests to attend with the celebration being funded both by donations from individuals and the Community Church, Jubilee Centre, who gave £1,000 and without whose support the event could not take place.
The same kind of generous spirit was replicated too at the Milnsbridge Village Hall with guests beginning the festivities at 12.30pm.
Kirklees councillor, Christine Iredale, (Golcar), helped organise a Christmas lunch and entertainment for 19 guests thanks to Kirklees Council giving £500 towards the event.
She said: “This is our first year so it’s a learning curve.
“I decided to do it because I looked at our house and thought I have an absolutely fantastic husband, Robert, and wonderful family and I am so lucky so I wanted to give something back.
“Robert has been brilliant organising all the basics and we have had a wonderful chef, Jill Clough from Longwood, three ladies who are helping serving and some other volunteers too.”
