Duane Hicks
Despite the fact the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau has a lack of funds for the event this year, organizers aren’t about to let the annual community Christmas dinner here become a thing of the past.
Karen Mitchell, who’s taken the lead on organizing the 22nd-annual dinner, said Monday she’s been working hard since September to get everything ready for the community event, which this year will run from noon-2 p.m. on Christmas Day at Knox United Church.
“We’re doing our best. We’re going to try and do a really good one this year,” enthused Mitchell, who volunteers at the volunteer bureau with her daughter, Vanessa Hebert, and has helped out with the Christmas dinner in the past.
“You’d hate it to not happen. It wouldn’t be right,” she added. “After 22 years, you don’t want it to end.”
Mitchell said she’s already rounded up quite a few volunteers, whether they’ll be delivering “Meals on Wheels” on Christmas Day, setting up for the dinner, or greeting, serving, or even washing dishes.
She mainly is concerned now with getting donations to make the well-attended meal a reality.
Mitchell has sent out 125 faxes to area businesses to ask for donations, and sent personally-written letters to major past sponsors asking if they would help once again.
“I really stressed to the businesses that we need money or gift certificates to buys the turkeys, the hams, the buns,” she explained.
“I’ve got quite a few people already for cheese, pickles, and stuff like that, but it’s the big things.
“I need at least 12 turkeys and at least nine hams. Dainties, stuff like that.
“It’s the turkeys, the hams, the stuffings that we need to get donated because we just don’t have the money,” she added.
Without fundraising events, like Bingos, to support the local volunteer bureau, Mitchell stressed the dinner is completely dependent on the generosity of the community (i.e., individuals, businesses, service clubs, etc.)
Some generous people have come forward so far, and Mitchell is hopeful the trend will continue.
For example, local farmer John Gerber has donated 150 pounds of potatoes, 75 pounds of turnips, and plenty of cabbages and carrots while staff at the Fort Frances Jail will peel the potatoes before the dinner.
La Place Rendez-Vous will prepare the coleslaw.
Mitchell also had four gifts donated, which will be given out Christmas Day to a lucky man, woman, boy, and girl attending the dinner.
While Dec. 25 may seem a while away yet, Mitchell said organizing the dinner takes a lot of work and she wants to make sure everything’s in place far ahead of schedule.
“If you wait until the 20th of November, you’re not going to get anything done. I am going to be ready Dec. 1,” she vowed.
“I am going to be ready. I am determined,” she added. “I have been coming in four days a week, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and doing this.
“I am going to have it done.”
As always, the community Christmas dinner is open to anyone who wants to attend. It is free, but a silver collection will be taken up to help cover expenses or go towards next year’s meal.
To make a donation, volunteer, or find out more about the Christmas dinner, drop by the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau (located in the old CN station) or call Mitchell and leave a message at 274-9555.
