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🇪🇸 AYU Spanish Night – A VOTO Outreach Event 🍷

On February 17, 2025, the Volunteers of The Order (VOTO) hosted a vibrant Spanish Night at AYU – The Travelers Kitchen, bringing together a great crowd to enjoy good wine, great company, and a taste of what VOTO is all about.

The evening was filled with delicious Spanish wines courtesy of Farsons Direct and mouthwatering Spanish nibbles, creating the perfect atmosphere for connection and conversation. Spanish dancers from Company of Dance Arts added an extra flair to the evening as they brought the spirit of Spain to life with their mesmerising performances! 💃
With around 60 attendees, this event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with new faces, welcome potential volunteers and donors and build awareness about VOTO’s mission.

A big thank you to everyone who supported this event and to all who attended, making it a memorable night!

#VOTO #AYUSpanishNight #GivingBack #Community #Volunteering

VOTO Ladies Night 2025 ✨

Our annual Ladies Night took place on February 7th at Vecchia Napoli, Salini, and it was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all! 🎉

A big thank you to the wonderful team at Vecchia Napoli for their warm hospitality, great menu, and special rate, making this event possible.

With 16 volunteers and 32 patients in attendance, we had a total of 48 guests sharing good food, laughter, and great company. 🥂

📸 Photo by Doris Aquilina

Children’s Christmas Party 4th December 2024

The Volunteers of the Order organised a Christmas party on the 4th December at the Marsa Sports Club, bringing together cherished guests and friends. Just under 100 Guests and Volunteers were present to join in the fun. Participants were served starters of bruschetta and a dip, a selection of sausages and burgers for the main course, followed by dessert and coffee. In the spirit of the festive season, Father Christmas made an unexpected entrance after dinner, delighting everyone with the distribution of Christmas gifts and hampers.

Heartfelt thanks from all of us at VOTO to the Deloitte Foundation, Malta for once again sponsoring the Christmas presents for our dear guests and friends. Our Annual Christmas Party was also supported by the Marsa Sports Club as well as De Mattos & Sullivan.

Season’s Greetings to all!

The Volunteers of The Order hosted their annual Fundraising Autumn Lunch at Villa Arrigo on Sunday, 17th November 2024. The event saw an impressive turnout, with 228 adults, 24 children, and 22 volunteers contributing their time and energy throughout the day.
The afternoon began with a holy mass celebrated by Mgr Brendan Gatt. Following this, attendees enjoyed a selection of welcome drinks and appetisers served by our dedicated volunteers. The seated lunch consisted of orecchiette and artichoke entrée, the traditional slow-roasted pork accompanied by honey-glazed pumpkin, roast potatoes, peas with pancetta, and broccoli au gratin. Children were treated to a homemade timpana. The meal concluded with an array of delightful desserts and petit fours, lovingly prepared by numerous volunteers, served alongside coffee.
The afternoon was capped off with an exciting raffle with 18 prizes generously donated by Vignobles LeGault, The Westin Dragonara Hotel, Virtu Ferries, The Salini Hotel, Michelle Gialanze’, Henry Falzon, Optika, The Phoenicia Hotel, iCentre, Zartera Gallery & Atelier, Greta Psaila Savona, Rubicon, Marina Bay, Celio, The Seabank Hotel, Miranda Publishers, and Derek Garden Centre. This event was lovingly organised by the dedicated members of the VOTO Council, whose tireless efforts, alongside the invaluable support of numerous volunteers, ensured its success. Special thanks go to Villa Arrigo, to all sponsors, donors, and supporters, and all those who attended. Such generosity and enthusiasm enable VOTO to continue raising funds for our cherished special Guests – funds raised from this event contribute towards pilgrims attending the upcoming Order of Malta Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this gathering such a resounding success!

Watch our Autumn Lunch video through this link: VOTO November Lunch

The Volunteers of the Order organised a day trip to Gozo on Saturday, September 28, 2024, for Guests and families who had previously participated in the Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage and International Summer Camps. Approximately 100 Guests and Volunteers attended the event. Participants gathered at Ċirkewwa at 8:00 AM and took the ferry to Gozo. Upon arriving at Mġarr Harbour, transportation was provided by vans from Dar tal-Providenza, OMVG, and private coaches, which brought everyone to the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Għarb. Mons. Brendan Gatt celebrated Mass at 10:30 AM. Afterward, participants had time for prayer and reflection at the Shrine behind the altar before heading to Marsalforn for lunch at Smuggler’s. The group then returned to Mġarr Harbour for the 4:00 PM ferry back to Malta.

Some of the Order of Malta’s Volunteers travelled to Fiesch, Switzerland to participate in the 39th International Summer Camp held between the 11-18th August 2024.

The 39th annual Malta Camp, hosted by the Order of Malta, brought together around 500 young people from 25 countries for a week of unforgettable experiences, bonding, and adventure in Fiesch, Switzerland. Since 1984, this summer tradition has provided an inclusive and supportive environment for participants with disabilities, alongside their dedicated volunteer helpers, to connect, grow, and celebrate. The Summer Camp is an unforgettable experience of cohesion beyond boundaries for all young guests and volunteers which provided amazing possibilities for activities such as a visit of Zermatt, sports games including paragliding, and spiritual gatherings.

The Maltese contingent, departed Malta early Saturday morning, consisted of 20 helpers and guests, led by Team Leader Julia Micallef, and assisted by Rachel Barthet. Mgr Claude Portelli served as the Spiritual Director.

Special thanks go to Ms Lisa Borg from KM Malta Airlines for her kind help during the reservations and checking in of the team.

Building on the success of previous years, a social evening/ fundraising BBQ for current and former Summer Camp attendees, their families, and volunteers was organised on the 13th July 2024. The event began with a mass celebration led by Fr Jean Gove’, followed by welcome drinks and a BBQ at the Marsa Sports Club. The evening was a resounding success, attracting a record 100 guests. This event serves both as a reunion and a fundraising activity, aiming to generate funds for this year’s International Summer Camp, scheduled to take place in Switzerland from August 11-18, 2024.

On June 3rd 2024, a group of 89 guests and 9 volunteers gathered at the Xara Lodge in Rabat for an afternoon of Tombola & Tea. This was in collaboration with MASMOM. Sandwiches, pastizzi, and drinks were served whilst participants enjoyed playing tombola. Various prizes from generous sponsors were awarded to those who won. We are most grateful to Xara Lodge for hosting our Guests and helpers at this event.

The Volunteers of the Order organised a sparkling brunch at the Contessa, at The Phoenicia, Valletta  on Saturday, 25 May 2024. This served as a reunion for those who participated in the Lourdes Pilgrimage. The brunch involved free flowing Prosecco, a selection of delicious entrées followed by a lavish set menu. To close off the brunch, a raffle was drawn and various prizes were won. Many thanks to the 73 attendees that participated and contributed towards the success of this event, as well as to the generous sponsors that donated the raffle prizes.