On Christmas Day, Sea la vie put on a FREE Christmas Day buffet lunch for those with nobody to share the spirit of Christmas.
From the time the decision was made to serve the lunch (2 weeks prior to Christmas) it was an amazing journey.
The local paper (The Manly Daily) announced it and put a picture (of me) on the front page.
The Manly Daily - Tuesday 16/12/2008
2GB’s, Jason Morrison, interview me on air on the Monday prior to Christmas (I was nervous as).
It was an amazing day. My little gesture became huge. It really inspired me and the best part, the whole community. It was and still is the “talk of the town”. I had one man tell me “Adrian, you have sparked the Christmas spirit for the whole community – well done”.
A small gesture of goodwill (so I thought) went a long, long way. I’m overwhelmed by the generosity and interest that the free lunch has had within the community.
”The family” Adrian (me) enjoying lunch
I received offers of help, of food and goods and of money from people within the community. It was a great day for everyone – we served 100 people lunch plus I had 14 helpers who were absolute Trojans.
Me talking (as usual) The “Trojan” helpers
To boot we also raised over $3000 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The donation was raised by people attended the lunch and the community prior giving me money, “here’s some money for your lunch”.
It was truly an amazing Christmas. Furthermore, it was one of my life’s great achievements.
An addition to the story, I was contacted on Tuesday 17th February, 2008 and informed by the local Rotary Club that I had been awarded a “Community Award” The presentation is on next Tuesday night.
What an amazing Christmas story and an amazing journey.
One of the helpers, Jeremy, with Kel.
One of many friendships formed.
