Yule Manor Co-op holiday celebration prevails
A Yule Manor Co-op holiday tradition continued this year, thanks to quick-thinking from staff at the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC).
The RRCRC has been holding Christmas celebrations each December at the housing co-operative, which is home to about 200 residents.
This year’s event was imperiled by renovations to the co-op’s common area. The ongoing construction meant there was no space at Yule Manor to host the celebration.
Fortunately, the RRCRC was able to rent the Manor Park Public School (MPPS) gymnasium for the December 17 event. It included music, dinner, and a visit from Santa Claus bearing gifts for co-op youth.
Door knocking
Although not too far from Yule Manor, the shift to the MPPS gym left staff unsure how many would attend.
Mijanou Gravelle, RRCRC community development coordinator, noted staff members knock on each door (there are about 90 units in the co-op). On the day itself, they also helped guide people to the school. Although there was inevitable anxiety over whether the shift in venue would prove an obstacle, an early trickle became a steady flow of residents, guaranteeing a festive atmosphere.
The school gym turned out to be an apt setting for the celebration. Many of the 45 residents in attendance were youth and children, quick to take advantage of the open space and smooth floors–ideal for taking a running slide or two while waiting for Santa to dole out gifts.
Reflecting on the event afterward, Mijanou described the event as a “real success.”
Unifying event
The RRCRC uses the City of Ottawa’s community development framework (CDF) funds for the celebration and other events throughout the year, including spring clean-ups, fruit and vegetable market and summer movies. The Manor Park Community Association also provided some funding and several members helped run the event.
Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King’s office also contributed to cover some of the costs. Councillor King attended for the dinner and stayed for a game of bingo, helping some of the kids manage their cards.
Tara Clark, a resident at the co-op, also helped out running the event. She said she’s been involved for about three years.
She sees the Christmas celebration, and other events throughout the year, as “fun ways to unite us as neighbours.”
“I’m pretty happy with the turn-out.”
