This year the VOTO Council hosted 57 adults and 12 children to a memorable Christmas party which was held at the Marsa Sports Club. 13 volunteers helped out at this event and Joe D’Amato dressed up as Father Christmas and distributed Panettone’s to all the adults and goodie bags for the children as a little thought on behalf of VOTO and its members during this special time of year.
Since many members were present at this year’s Christmas drinks it was decided to present the end of year donations at the beginning of the evening. Mrs. Margaret Farrugia the Executive Chairperson presented a handsome donation to the President of MASMOM , H.E. The Noble Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, followed by Fr. Savio Vella for Dar Osanna Pia and lastly to Ms. Doris Aquilina on behalf of the Sisters of St Ursula. VOTO also gave other donations this year, namely to Dar Tal-Providenza, The Hospice Movement and Dar il-Kaptan.
The VOTO Christmas drinks party was held at Drift Meze/Cafe in Ta L-Ibragg. A total of 32 people attended the evening, where a great selection of mezes and a lovely buffet were laid out for all to enjoy. Once again it was a great occasion for our members to mingle with each other in a relaxed atmosphere.
This year’s Advent spiritual meeting was held at St. Patrick’s Church, Sliema. Mass was celebrated by our chaplain Fr. Savio Vella who gave us a talk in preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, but also on the importance of opening up our hearts and not remain indifferent to our surroundings.
Matthew 11:17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn’
The much awaited Autumn Lunch was once again a huge success with the weather also on our side, turning it into a beautiful sunny day. The afternoon began with holy mass celebrated by Monsignor Paul Vella, a total of 199 guests where then hosted to a lavish lunch consisting of appetisers, pasta, spit-roast pork, a selection of roast vegetables and homemade desserts. This event was organised by an extremely hard working sub-committee and the majority of the food was prepared and served by our volunteers, without who’s help we wouldn’t be able to fund-raise for our much loved special friends. The afternoon wrapped up with a raffle, which was a complete sell-out and largely contributed to the funds generated by this event. This year we also had a small group of Italian volunteers join us as part of a “gemellagio” between VOTO and CISOM Gruppo Ragusa.
Following last year’s success the pizza and pasta evening was once again organised for our special friends at the spacious Il-Fortizza Restaurant in Sliema which was able to accommodate a good number of wheelchairs. 63 special friends attended, 10 of which where children and were assisted by 15 volunteers. Once again this event was enjoyed by one and all, a pleasant evening spent among friends and volunteers.
H.E. The President’s invitation was once again extended to VOTO members and our special guests. On Friday 7th October 46 friends together with 6 volunteers were treated to an enjoyable afternoon set in the beautiful gardens of San Anton Palace. H.E. greeted all present and had a word for everyone, after which a donation was presented to MCCF on behalf of VOTO.
This year’s reunion for Lourdes Personnel and friends was held at the Trattoria AD 1530 at the Xara Palace in Mdina, we were offered a delicious menu at € 25 a head. It was a very pleasant evening set within the beautiful fortifications of Mdina, where all enjoyed a casual evening with the chance of catching up with old and new friends. A raffle was drawn towards the end of the evening with Matty Cremona winning 2 Golden Circle Tickets for the Joseph Calleja concert worth € 280 which were very kindly donated to VOTO by NnG Promotions.
This year’s Gozo outing was a great success with a record 98 special guests and their families and 15 volunteers joining us on this special day. Once in Mgarr the group set off on 2 coaches and 2 wheel-chair vans to hear mass in the lovely gardens of a private farmhouse in Gharb, celebrated by Mons. Paul Vella and Fr. Jeffrey Attard, after which pastizzi and cool refreshments where served, before setting off again for a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of ta’ Pinu. After some time of personal prayer and a short history of the Basilica, the group were taken to the Calypso Hotel in Marsalforn where everyone was treated to a lavish buffet lunch which was very kindly sponsored by CASUMO Services, and the volunteers paid € 20 for their share. The day was wrapped up with the group returning on the 4:30pm ferry back to Cirkewwa.
Once again the Ladies Night was held at The Dolmen Hotel in Qawra. This year we entertained 29 special ladies to a lovely buffet dinner which was generously sponsored by the hotel management. We had 11 helpers on the night who paid € 25 for their meal, VOTO left a € 25 tip and paid € 40 to cover transport for wheelchair users.
