On Wednesday 17 May, The Change Makers, Rise’s incredible volunteers, attended a High Tea at Peter Anderton Centre to allow us to celebrate and thank them for all they do for Rise and the community.
Everyone enjoyed a wonderful morning of delectable delights, warm beverages served in elegant eclectic china, charismatic conversation, and lively laughter!
It was such a pleasure to host this event for our volunteers to thank them for all the hard work they do during the year, either at our centres or driving our clients to and from appointments. The joyful looks on their faces as they entered the room was so lovely to see and I especially loved seeing them all relax and mingle with their peers and the LG members who attended. Some were especially taken aback when the CEO brought them a tea or coffee!!
From our newest who has only been with Rise for a couple of weeks, to our longest serving volunteer who has been with us for nearly 25 years, the 18 volunteers who attended the High Tea have 105 years of volunteering with Rise between them. THATS AMAZING!
I would also like to thank:
- The clients at the Arts Hub, under the guidance of Kat and Sandra, for making the beautiful gifts of beaded keyrings and screen-printed tea towels, to show their appreciation of our volunteers;
- Maria at Peter Anderton Centre for helping me so much with preparing the food for serving, and for tidying up afterwards; and
- Alanna M for arranging the flowers in the vases.
Most of all, to our Rise volunteers, from everyone involved in our organisation, be it clients or employees, we say a massive THANK YOU for everything and for just being you!!!
By Alana Bearham, Volunteers Coordinator