OUR COMMUNITY KITCHEN
December was a busy month for OCK. They hosted a crafts fair and are so grateful to have raised a total of £626.50 towards their work from teas, coffees, soup and bake sale, stall holder fees and a raffle. Thank you to OCK's amazing volunteer and staff team, people who baked, stall holders and the people who came along for a cuppa for making the day so fantastic.
In December, OCK received lots of wonderful donations in which they are very thankful for and are grateful for everyone's continued support. A big thank you to;
- Scottish Women's institute in Humbie who donated £110
- Fiona Watson, CrossFit Haddington raised and donated £340 from a wreath making class.
- Jean and Drew who gave OCK a Christmas tree
- Parents at Knight Fever Dance School who donated a generous supply of food
- Haddington Co-op for irresistible mince pies and chocolate oranges for Christmas day
- Charlies Pies and Pate (Charlie is the chef in Tyneside) for the delicious pate
- Social Work Department at Randall House for the very generous donation from their tuck shop sales
- Shiva and Shanthi at Haddington Wines and Whiskies for the fizz to enjoyed on Christmas day!
- Isobel and Ian who bought 70 fantastic Christmas hats
- Logans for the sprouts
- Haddington Bouncy Castles for the amazing selection boxes
- Margot who donated hot water bottles and beautiful knitted covers for participants.
- Darren from RBS who came to volunteer
- Alison Hunton for a donation towards Christmas Day
Children from the Peartree nursery sang for OCK in the month of December, and brought along a handmade cake. Haddington Infants nursery have also been baking for them. The First Haddington Rainbow Guides sang Christmas songs for OCK participants and they thoroughly enjoyed.
One of our own team members, Henry, visited OCK, bringing along a new menu board for their Christmas table.
This week, OCK want to highlight one of their team members, Sylvia. She makes everyone who comes into contact with OCK smile everyday. She has so much energy and has an abundance of love she keeps spreading around to everyone. A fantastic organiser too and keeps OCK strong in more ways than one. Sylvia is a rock for so many at OCK and goes above and beyond her role.
While December was full of donations and Christmas festivities, January was a quieter month at OCK.
Winter activities were enjoyed by OCK participants, Bingo brought in by Bev, movie nights, walking groups and more.
In honour of Robert Burn's, OCK hosted a Burns lunch. Chef Pete cooked up Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, with Cranaken for dessert and Tonia and Helen beautifully decorated the table. The traditional sayings and poems were said beautifully;
- Mr. Alan Sheerin addressed the Haggis
- A participant John read the address to Rabbie
- OCK's trustee and participant, Alison introduced and said a toast to friends who have passed and will never be forgotten
- Tonia read Flow Gently Sweet Afton
- Provost John McMillan read the reply on behalf of the guests
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A Red Rose said by Hannah and Kirstie was Knox Academy
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Olivia said the Selkirk Grace
- Thanks to Piper Callum also
What a wonderful day had to honour Rabbie Burns. OCK wou;d also like to thank Knox Academy pupils Lauren Clark (Head Girl) and Oscar Pirie (Head Boy )who were their MC's and hosts for the day, and to all of our special guests and regular attendees for joining. Bringing the community together!
OCK are delighted to have been accepted onto the blue token scheme in Tesco Haddington. Every time you pay for shopping, you should be given a token at the checkout to pop into the box near customer service, and if not, you could ask for them. They would very much appreciate you considering OCK for this, helping to continue reducing isolation and loneliness in our local area.