Guests served food, fellowship at community Christmas Day events

Christmas spirit was in abundance in Norfolk at festive meals served to anyone who wanted to stop in and enjoy.

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An army of volunteers prepared for about 185 people who registered for a three-course turkey dinner with all the fixings at Riversyde 83 in Simcoe, hosted, for the fifth year, by Church Out Serving.

“It’s for people who don’t have a place to be on Christmas Day,” said Eric Haverkamp, ​​board chair of Church Out Serving. “We want to make sure everyone feels valued and add some joy to their day.”

Close to 50 volunteers spent Dec. 24 and 25 cooking and carving 20 turkeys, 15 hams, and preparing vats of stuffing, potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, maple butternut squash soup, and warm apple crisp.

Guests sat at tables adorned with festive tablecloths and napkins, a chocolate and candy cane placed at each setting. Keyboardist Bruce VanderMolen and flutist Jennifer Burne-House filled the rooms with Christmas tunes and Santa was scheduled to make an appearance.

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“It’s just good,” said Dorothy Dossier who was sitting down to a meal. “It means I don’t have to sit home by myself.”

The need for fellowship was shared by Marg Buller, who volunteered her time to greet guests at the door.

“I didn’t want to be a tag-on at Christmas,” she said. “I wanted to contribute. I’m on my own this year and it’s not a nice time if you’re alone.”

Haverkamp said the number of guests was about 30 per cent higher than last year, likely a sign of the hard economic times and word getting out about the holiday offering.

Johanna and Bret Cousineau and their five children have volunteered to make personalized keepsakes for guests for the past three years. The family was busy on Christmas morning tying silver ribbon to snowflake ornaments that will include guests’ names.

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“This is the highlight of our year,” said Johanna. “Christmas isn’t about us. It’s about serving other people.

“It’s something we wanted to show our kids.”

The smell of roasted turkey also filled the kitchen at Delhi United Church late Christmas morning as volunteers prepared to serve about 100 people a free holiday meal. It’s a tradition that goes back to the 1990s, said Dorothy Stedman, a church member and organizer. Food donations and people willing to give of their time make the event possible year after year.

“Everyone is happy,” Stedman said. “It’s a great group of people and a nice atmosphere.”

OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk stopped into the church to drop off bags of chocolate goodies donated by Ferrero in Brantford. For about 15 years, Sanchuk’s parents, Ed Sr. and Marilyn, have volunteered to stuff and store hundreds of bags given away over the holidays.

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After his stop at Delhi United, Sanchuk, his father and his children, Matthew and Kaitlyn, were headed to Riversyde 83 and the women’s shelter in Simcoe to deliver more sweet treats.

“It’s a good opportunity to give back to the community,” said Sanchuk. “Not everyone can afford these luxuries.”

Lana Plank and an army of volunteers prepared more than 700 take-out Christmas dinners at churches in Waterford and Simcoe for those in need. She said many of the meals go to the homeless community in Norfolk and Brant counties.

“God sent an army,” Plank said in a Facebook post. “My heart is overflowing. A huge thank you to the wonderful volunteers. You guys are amazing.”

Plank also thanked the businesses and individuals who donated food and made financial contributions to the effort.

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