Room at the Inn . Public radio features produced by Roger Smith & Gareth Watkins



			Room at the Inn A unique occasion that has, for the last 40 years, brought together people from all walks-of-life for four hours on Christmas Day. Christmas Day 2002 saw volunteers provide meals and gifts for more than 100 homeless and needy people at the Aro Valley Community Centre hall in Wellington, as well as delivering 80 meals to house-bound residents. 2003 marks the 40th anniversary of The Room at the Inn. It was founded in 1963 by Keith Brown, who collected empty lemonade bottles and sold them to raise money to buy the food. Latterly it has continued through the efforts of a four-person organising committee, expanding to a team of around 30 volunteers who turn up on the day. The meals are prepared in advance by Joe McTaggart. He became involved in the event about 26 years ago - "I remember taking my son [along] when he was a toddler. He’s 28 now". Lindy Pacey, one of the organisers, has made the dinner a family affair with her three adult daughters lending a hand. "I know it’s nice to have Christmas dinner with your family on Christmas Day but this is important". An integral part of the documentary is the use of archival Christmas messages recorded by past New Zealand Prime Ministers (Michael Savage, Walter Nash and Keith Holyoake), and a message of hope from the Reverend Harry Squires in 1950. The juxtaposition of this material throws up some fascinating unanswered questions that allow us to reflect on our own notions of charity and goodwill. There are now a number of large scale community dinners held throughout Wellington on Christmas Day, serving up to 1500 people. Although this documentary focuses on The Room at the Inn the themes and questions about charity, and seasonal generosity are universal.

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			Volunteer Room at the Inn relies solely on the generosity and time of organisations and individuals. We will happily forward your details to the organising committee if you would like to contribute to this year's dinner at the Aro Valley Community Centre in Wellington.