Author Archives: VOTO

The Volunteers of the Order put together a great team to participate in the Malta Marathon on 26 February 2023. 

The team, consisting of 14 volunteers and guests, met up on weekends to train for the 21km feat. The walkathon set off in Mdina at 8:30am yesterday and finished in Sliema at around 11:30. Well done to all involved!

Thank you to those that helped out leading up to the marathon and also to the generous sponsors:
Optika, Norse, GVZH, River Tech, Tina Peresso and Mary Bonello of Eurosport from Michele Peresso group and other private individual sponsors.

Malta Walkathon Training –  February 2023

A small group of those who signed up for the 2023 Malta Walkathon have been training on the weekends to prepare for the 21KM walk. Including a quick fix on the wheelchair 🙂

Patients Christmas Party – 15^th December 2022

This year the VOTO Council hosted 67 patients and guardians to a memorable Christmas Party and Pasta Night  which was held at the Marsa Sports Club. 24 volunteers came to help out and spend time with our patients. Father Christmas then made a special appearance and distributed gifts to the young patients and food hampers for the families. It was a lovely evening enjoyed by all.

These gifts were generously sponsored by the Deloitte Foundation, Malta.

Members Christmas Drinks & Spiritual Talk – 6^th December 2022

The evening started off with a Spiritual Talk for our members that was celebrated by Fr. Brendan in the Ta L-Ibragg Chruch, 25 members and aspirants attended. Which was then followed by the VOTO Christmas dinner party which was once again held at Drift Meze/Cafe in Ta L-Ibragg on the 6th December. Enjoying a turnout of 40 members and aspirants. A delicious selection of mezes and a lovely buffet was laid out for all to enjoy. Overall an event that is a hit with those attending and a good opportunity for our members to meet and celebrate together to end the year.

Fund-Raising Autumn Lunch – 20^th November 2022

Our yearly Autumn Lunch had to be put on hold due to Covid however we finally managed to hold our first one since 2019! A clear hit with our members as it was very well attended with 187 adults, 39 children and 21 volunteers helping throughout the day. The day began with holy mass celebrated by Fr. Savio, guests were then treated to a lavish lunch that consisted of a welcome drink including multiple appetisers, an entrée of pumpkin risotto, pasta pomodoro for the children, our traditional spit-roast pork, a selection of roast vegetables, homemade desserts and homemade petit fours to go with our afternoon coffee. The children were then occupied after their lunch with a puppet show. This event is organised by the great team involved in VOTO Council. The bulk of the food was prepared and served by our volunteers, which without their help we would not be able to hold this successful event. The afternoon wrapped up with a raffle consisting of 16 prizes that were all donated by various generous parties which helped contribute to the funds received. To all those that sponsored, supported and donated in anyway including all those that attended, thank you for helping us make this day a great success. Without you all we would not be able to fund-raise for our much loved special friends.

First Aid Course – 7^th & 8^th October 2022

The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector issued a call earlier this May for VO’s to organise and attend a first aid course within their organisation. It was limited to 12 different organisations and a maximum of 12 participants. VOTO was one of the lucky ones to be able to participate in this important course, which was a great refresher for all members that took part. It was a 2 part course that was done through the Malta Red Cross in Pembroke.

Patients Social Evening – 14^th September 2022

For this years Social evening VOTO Council closed off the Summer months with a gathering at Il-Veduta Restaurant in Rabat. The event was very well attended with 45 guests and 21 volunteers turning up to catch up and chat to our guests. The owners of the restaurant very kindly offered us a set menu at a reduced rate for all our patients, which was well received by all.

Food Collection for Ukrainian Refugees – August 2022

An appeal for food collection was sent out during August 2022 to ask our members to help with non-perishable food donations. A great response was received with a generous amount of food donations given to us by friends, members of VOTO and MASMOM.  All the food received was then passed onto the Hub at 45 Triq il-Lunzjata, Sliema that is currently set up to distribute to those in need.

International Summer Camp – Rome – August 2022

30th July – 6th August 2022

This year’s camp could finally take place as Covid disrupted the last 2 years of Malta Camp. It was held at the San Vincenzo M. Monastery in Viterbo, Rome.  The Maltese team consisted of 9 Guests, 10  Volunteers including 2 of our very own council members and a Chaplain.  Internationally around 450 people were involved, guests and helpers included. Whilst those volunteering to help and take care of guests at camp know that this week can be an out of comfort zone experience, they all know how extremely rewarding for both guests and helpers it is. As with previous years, this camp was a success with the Maltese delegation joining participants from well over 20 different countries.