Dannevirke's Elske celebrates successful year with a Christmas lunch

The Elske group tuck in to Christmas lunch at Knox Church in Dannevirke for their last meeting.

It was time for a bit of reflection for Sue Donaldson as she farewelled Elske at their last meeting of the year.

Elske member Jo-Ann Ellen thanks Sue Donaldson for co-ordinating over the last 18 months at the last meeting for 2024 in Dannevirke.

Eighteen months ago the Elske Centre run by Anglican Care Waiapu was about to close and the group of elderly recipients were disappointed.

Collectively, and under the guidance of Sue, its original manager, the group came together and a separate independent group calling itself Elske was created with members paying a small fee per week.

It required a lot of volunteers from the community, support from Knox Church which provided a venue for the regular Monday activity centre and lunch, plus Dannevirke Lions who made available its van and some funding.

Cooks and other volunteers find time to pose at the Elske lunch in Dannevirke.

They held a lunch to mark their last meeting with the ingredients mostly funded and completely cooked by the volunteers under the expert guidance of chef Ants Eising.

Sue, who is moving on to other things, said she has seen so many good things happen over the last 18 months with members gaining in confidence and friendships. She said she would pop in through 2025.

She is leaving the organisation in good hands however with Ants taking the reins supported by his loyal team.

Lyn Falconer, leader of the entertainment Harmony Sisters, has the group clapping and singing to Jingle Bells during the last meeting of the year for Elske in Dannevirke.

Speaking for Knox Church, Mike Sturm said they were delighted to host Elske every Monday, adding it was just the purpose for which the new hall was built. He said they will be delighted to welcome Elske back on February 3 to their first meeting of 2025.