11th to 18th August 2018
This year’s camp was held at Treloar’s School, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The group consisted of 9 Guests, 11 Volunteers and a Chaplain. Again this camp was a roaring success with the Maltese delegation joining participants from well over 20 different countries.
Following the success of the previous year it was again decided to host this social evening for present and past Summer Camp attendees, their families and volunteers. The evening opened with a mass celebration by Fr. Savio Vella, the camps’ Chaplain, followed by a BBQ prepared by VOTO’s volunteers. The evening was very well attended, with a record attendance of 90 guests.
A mens’ night was also held on the same evening at Da Francesco Restaurant in the grounds of Porzuincola Retreat House, which had a turnout of 21 men turning up for this social evening.
The ladies’ night was again held at the idyllic and wheelchair accessible “Il-Veduta Restaurant” in Rabat, where we were able to host 33 ladies and had 18 volunteers giving a helping hand. The owners of the restaurant very kindly offered us a set menu at a reduced rate for all our patients, who all enjoyed this relaxed evening.
The reunion was well attended with over 90 guests turning up for this relaxing evening held in the beautiful grounds of Meridiana Wine Estate in Ta’ Qali. The venue and wine was very kindly sponsored by Messrs. Meridiana Wine Estate Ltd., a delicious pasta buffet was setup by Chef Jesmond Vassallo and once again were offered 2 tickets for the Joseph Calleja Concert kindly sponsored by NNG promotions. It was an enjoyable evening all round, where everyone had the opportunity to catch up with old and new acquaintances and at the same time donating towards a worthy cause.
The popular fund-raising card party was once again held at Villa Arrigo, and was very well attended with a total of 162 rummy players and 28 Bridge players, who where joined by 7 volunteers. A food stall was set-up to sell delicious homemade cakes, pies and other treats, a raffle was also held with some lovely prizes. This event is a very important one in VOTO’s calendar of events as through it we are able to finance the Children’s programme during MASMOM’s yearly pilgrimage to Lourdes.
This year’s Lenten talk by Fr. Savio at The Salesians Oratory in Sliema was very well attended with 23 members and aspirants showing up. The topic was “Whom do you say I Am?” A very interesting reflection about Who is God and how are we to re-light the fire in us. After mass we shared some time together with some wine & sandwiches, where everyone had an opportunity to chat with each other.
The Volunteers of the Order recently hosted 116 guests at a Fundraising Gala Dinner at the Casino Maltese in Valletta to celebrate 30 years of work in the fields of spiritual, social and medical welfare.
Part of the proceeds of this event will support the renovation of a donated property, currently being refurbished into a shelter which will provide accommodation to young homeless people. The project is an initiative of the National Federation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco in Malta, in partnership with the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta.
The rest of the proceeds will continue to finance the organisation’s ongoing charitable work with adults and children in need. It is estimated that each year, VOTO assists an average of 80 to 90 families in need with the potential of helping many more.
This year the VOTO Council hosted 54 adults and 12 children to a memorable Christmas party which was held at the Marsa Sports Club. 15 volunteers helped out this year, Father Christmas made a special appearance and distributed blankets to all the adults and boxes of sweets & cupcakes to the children as a little gesture on behalf of VOTO and its members during this special time of year.
The VOTO Christmas drinks party was once again held at Drift Meze/Cafe in Ta L-Ibragg, enjoying a great turnout of 51 members and aspirants. A delicious selection of mezes and a lovely buffet were laid out for all to enjoy. As always it was a good opportunity for our members to mingle with each other in a relaxed atmosphere and celebrate together.
