Staff
With quite a few big donations already having come in, and more expected next month, planning is well underway for the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau’s 24th-annual community Christmas dinner.
The only big problem right now is finding people willing to cook turkeys for the popular event, which will take place Christmas Day from noon-2 p.m. at Knox United Church.
“I’ve got lots done. The donations are starting to come in,” organizer Karen Mitchell noted yesterday.
“I’ve already got five turkeys donated, and five people to cook them.
“And then John Myers of McDonald’s donated nine hams and jugs of juice and cups,” she added.
Mitchell said five Volunteer Bureau board members have gotten approval from the Northwestern Health Unit to cook turkeys in their homes, but more than five turkeys will have to be cooked for the dinner.
As per regulations, the turkeys have to be cooked in a commercial establishment or a kitchen approved by a health inspector.
Mitchell said she’s hopeful restaurants or groups having kitchen facilities with ovens will be able to help out.
Those able to do so can give Mitchell a call at 274-9555 (leave a message if she’s not there).
As far as other food preparation goes, Mitchell said she has a woman who will be making all the gravy.
La Place Rendez-Vous once again will be preparing carrots and coleslaw while the Fort Frances Jail will prepare the potatoes and turnips.
As is the case every year, volunteers also will be needed to help set up for the event, serve, and clean up afterwards.
Mitchell said she will advertise a couple of meetings for volunteers to attend closer to the date.
She added she really wants to schedule volunteers this year so they do not all come at the same time on Dec. 25 (which happened last year).
“We’re going to try and stagger it out a bit,” she remarked. “I had everybody at 1 p.m. instead of at 11 a.m. when I could have used [them] to get ‘Meals on Wheels’ ready.
“We had everybody at 1 p.m., and [then] everybody was gone at 1:45 and we had nobody left to help us,” she added. “I didn’t get out of there until 6-6:30.
“And you’ve got to clean up good or they’re not going to let you use the church next year.”
As always, high school students are encouraged to lend a hand to put towards the volunteer hours they need to graduate.
Those willing to lend a helping hand can give Mitchell a call at 274-9555.
In related news, Mitchell is anticipating getting a big boost in food donations from the OPP’s “Stuff a Cruiser” campaign, which will run here Dec. 10.
She said the event was very helpful in providing whatever she needed for the supper last year, and will do so again.
After “Stuff a Cruiser,” Mitchell will have a better idea as to what food, if any, she still might need. She also is lining up several local businesses to donate to the event.
That said, donations of food and cash to buy food and other supplies certainly are welcome.
Last year’s community Christmas dinner drew more than 300 people and also saw some 80 “Meals on Wheels” delivered.
