Christmas dinner embodies spirit of community

Christmas is a time for people to come together—whether they be family, friends, or perhaps just neighbours.
And one enduring tradition exemplifying this is the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau’s community Christmas dinner.
Now in its 17th year, the annual dinner was held Saturday afternoon at Knox United Church and once again it embodied the spirit of community, Karen Haney, assistant co-ordinator of the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau, said yesterday.
“I think everything went really well. Everybody seemed to have a great time, and the food was really good,” she remarked. “I believe we had about 250 people come out for the dinner.
“Maybe a little less than last year, but the cooler weather might have kept some people away,” Haney added.
About 60 “Meals on Wheels” were delivered to those who could not make it to the church on Christmas Day.
  Haney noted the dinner did not run out of food, which was in ample supply thanks to cash and food donations from the local Lions Club, M&M Meatshops, Curling Rock Café, Holsum, the Royal Canadian Legion, Ernest Thompson Distributors, McDonald’s Restaurant, and numerous individuals.
Pizza Connection used its ovens to cook up turkeys while poinsettias, which were used for decorations at the dinner as well as given to those who received “Meals on Wheels,” were supplied by Lowey’s Greenhouses.
And Green Funeral Home lent a limousine, which was used both to deliver meals and give people rides to and from the dinner.
“I want people to know the generosity of the community—the businesses, organizations, and individuals,” said Haney. “This community really comes together for things like this, which just couldn’t happen without that support.”
Beyond the donations, Haney added the dinner is truly an effort of volunteers, noting local citizens once again stepped up to donate their time.
Between 30 and 40 volunteers performed numerous tasks on Christmas Day, ranging from setting up tables and chairs in the basement of Knox United Church to cooking and serving food to delivering meals.
“We had plenty of help. It was great,” enthused Haney.
Giving an added boost to the spirit of the festivities was inspirational music courtesy of Gerry and Jackie Guimond, Marilyn and David O’Dell, Diane Maxey, and Ron Bernardi.
“Meals on Wheels” were delivered starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday while the dinner itself ran from noon-2 p.m. Haney noted it was busy until the end, and that some volunteers even stayed at the church until late afternoon to clean up the basement area.
Last year’s community Christmas dinner drew almost 300 people while close to 80 “Meals on Wheels” were delivered.