Carols and laughter rang out in halls across the Border on Christmas Day, as even people who were alone had somewhere to celebrate.
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More than 300 roast lunches were cooked for people at events across Lavington, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
Uniting Care hosted the Wangaratta event, which had 35 volunteers looking after 110 people.
Organiser Cathy Rogers said most people did not know each other at the start of the day, but they all got into the spirit of the occasion.
They even got a special visit from Santa, who ensured everyone left with a small gift.
Some of the volunteers brought their teenage children with them to help so they could understand how some people face a different type of Christmas Day.
Ms Rogers said it was about “putting Christ back into Christmas”.
“A lot of people are alone at Christmas, it can be a sad time,” she said.
At Uniting Church Wodonga hundreds of people gathered to seek comfort in shared company.
Robert Petzke of Baranduda spent his sixth consecutive Christmas morning serving food to those in need.
He said the opportunity to put a smile on faces of others was a highlight of the day.
“It’s not just about volunteering, it’s about spending time with great people,” he said.
“It’s three hours of my day, which is nothing, but it’s huge for these people.
“A simple gesture like ‘Merry Christmas’ can be massive for them.”
The Christmas lunch at Mirambeena Community Centre was the first of its size in recent years at Albury.
The day was organised by a group of Carevan Foundation volunteers with the support of Albury City and more than 30 volunteers.
Bevin Wenke of Lavington said the lunch took a weight off his family’s shoulders as his wife, Rachel, adjusted to the recent loss of her sight.
“She lost her vision about 10 weeks ago,” he said.
“She’s been struggling with one eye.
“In one eye she’s got a contact lens and the other eye shes waiting for a transplant for her cornea.
“She’s been drained, doing our work being without eyesight and looking after the kids while I’ve been harvesting.”
Mr Wenke said there was an amazing sense of community at the lunch.
“To have someone help us … it’s been a blessing.”
