Staff
The table is set for the community Christmas dinner, which will take place on Thursday (Dec. 25) from noon-2 p.m. at the Fort Frances Curling Club.
Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau co-ordinator Tori Hebert, who is spearheading the event with her grandmother, Karen Mitchell, said all aspects of the event have come together.
She and her fellow volunteers are now ready for the big day.
“We have a lot of volunteers and that’s amazing,” enthused Hebert.
“I’ve got more than I thought I would. It’s awesome.”
She also noted that thanks to the fifth-annual “Stuff-a-Cruiser” held here Dec. 13, as well as generous support from local businesses and individuals, there is enough food and other supplies to put on a wonderful Christmas meal.
For instance, CN donated 100 boxes of stuffing, Boston Pizza donated enough salad for everybody, and the Gerber family donated potatoes.
George Armstrong Co. Ltd., meanwhile, made a “amazing monetary donation,” which will be used to buy anything not already covered by other donors, such as individual butter packets at J.N. Webb & Sons Ltd.
Hebert also gave a big “thank you” to curling club president Ron Silver for allowing the Volunteer Bureau to use the venue.
As previously reported, the group was unable to use Knox United Church this year due to ongoing construction there.
Hebert is looking forward to the event and urged people to come out.
“It’s open to everybody, it’s free,” she stressed. “Just show up, have supper.
“You can sit and chat, or eat and leave.
“Everybody’s welcome,” she reiterated. “The more, the better.”
Hebert added Diane Maxey and some of the Fort Frances Choraliers will be there at 1 p.m. to treat guests to some holiday music.
Organizers are preparing for at least 200 people to attend, and also are cooking food and preparing trays to deliver to those who can’t make it via “Meals on Wheels.”
Curiously, Hebert said only about 15 people have booked a meal to be delivered to them on Christmas Day.
Normally, that number ranges from 50-75.
“We’d like many more people to have a meal delivered to them,” she remarked.
Anyone would like a meal delivered to their home on Christmas Day is asked to call Hebert no later than tomorrow (Dec. 24) at 274-9555.
