500 parcels for needy

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33105, 21 December 1972, Page 12

500 parcels for needy

Deliveries of more than 500 parcels to the Christchurch lonely, sick and aged from the Methodist Central Mission are expected to be completed by Saturday.

Requests for aid were higher this year than at any time in the 30 years the appeal has been running. The parcels included toys, toiletries, and food.

A record response was also received from contributors of parcels. The Rev. W. F. Falkingham, superintendent of the mission, said that the amount of support received meant that the mission could confidently plan to extend its social welfare work.

Last evening residents at Fairhaven, one of the mission’s homes for the aged, put on entertainment for friends of the home.

On Saturday evening the Wesley Lodge committee and staff will sing carols at Wesley Lodge and Hospital, and gifts will be given to residents and patients. On Christmas Day the traditional dinner will be served lin Friendship House to 100 'old people who would otherwise be spending Christmas Day alone. On Sunday, the Rev. B. Mackie will conduct the morning service, and the Rev.: Falkingham and the Rev. E. Vogt will lead the 7 p.m. ser-! vice.