By Alesha Capone
Young people hosted a Christmas lunch in Wyndham Vale on Monday, raising funds for an animal shelter.
Youths from the Australian Employment Training Solutions (AETS) Youth Jobs PaTH program, which helps people aged 18 to 25 gain employment skills, organised the lunch to raise money for T.L.C. Rescue Inc, an animal shelter located in Hoppers Crossing.
AETS trainer Jennie Purdie-Smith said the lunch, held at Iramoo Community Centre, was attended by about 40 people including several members of an over-50s group based at the centre.
Ms Purdie-Smith said the program’s young people “did an amazing job” in putting together the lunch.
Some of them had never cooked before, yet the enthusiastic crew created zucchini slices, penne cacciatore, chicken and mango salad, sandwiches, vegan meals, Christmas treats, homemade cupcakes and Christmas pudding with brandy custard.
Ms Purdie-Smith said they organised a silent auction, with prizes donated by their families and local businesses. A white elephant stall and a Powerpoint presentation showcasing dogs helped by T.L.C. Rescue were other highlights.
Best-dressed prizes were awarded for the Christmas-themed outfits and representatives from T.LC. Rescue Inc also gave a presentation at the lunch.
Ms Purdie-Smith said the lunch raised more than $400 for the shelter.
See tlcrescue.org.au/index.html for details about T.LC. Rescue Inc.
