Double treat for Sunset Park residents
Lions serve delicious braai, topped off with the Boks’ Rugby World Cup win
The Lions Club of Port Alfred gave residents of Sunset Park the perfect-build up to the Springboks v All Blacks Rugby World Cup final when they hosted a braai for them on Saturday October 28.
This is usually an annual service project undertaken by the Lions but due to circumstances, the club was unable to host it for the last two years.
“The last time we treated them was to a fish, chips and salad meal,” said Lions Port Alfred media spokesperson Alec McKerrow.
By all accounts, the residents had a thoroughly enjoyable time, especially as the delicious braai and accompaniments were a perfect forerunner to the rugby final.
To top off a special day for the elderly, the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis trophy.
“Many years ago an elderly widowed person from Sunset Park mentioned to a Lion member how nice it would be to have a braai and visit from the club.
“This was agreed upon at a meeting and from then on it has become an annual event,” said McKerrow.
“Though the rain came down and we had to move under a car port it was wonderful to see and feel the gratitude of the residents. Lions clubs around the world serve those less fortunate than themselves. Old age homes fall into a
number of different categories.
“There are homes with top-class medical facilities to homes that are dysfunctional, that one wonders how they can even exist,” said McKerrow.
In Port Alfred, there were two old age home with different needs “and therefore we try cater for these needs”,
he said.
“We are also involved with an old age home in Kenton and two in Alexandria,” he added.
“During Covid, we supplied water to Damant Lodge for example.
“While selling Christmas Cakes at Rosehill Mall, a number of residents
came up to me and thanked Lions profusely for a lovely meal.
“It really did put them in a good mood to watch the match later.”
McKerrow said the club had recently been approached by old age homes in Makhanda for assistance and that Lions always tackled a project with
the idea of making it a long-term goal. “Our motto, ‘we serve’ is ongoing. “However, projects like these need funds to function and that is why we need to sell our Christmas cakes.”
Christmas cake sales are held at both malls in Port Alfred virtually every second day, he said.