The carol “O come, all ye faithful” might well be the clarion call for community members involved with Athabasca’s annual, free Community Christmas Dinner.
The 21st such dinner will be held Dec. 5 at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex beginning at 4:30 p.m., and coordinator Cheryl Balay said the dinner’s longevity can be chalked up to faithful donors and organizers.
“Some people have been involved since the beginning, which is the amazing part,” said Balay, who herself has been involved since 2007.
Balay said the dinner, which is sponsored by the Athabasca Ministerial Association, is meant to draw people from all walks of life.
“It’s for people of all ages and backgrounds to sit down with your friend, neighbour, new people you don’t know, and get to know each other in a friendly, relaxing venue,” she said.
Take-out meals are also available for those who cannot stay for a sit-down meal.
An estimated 725 people attended the dinner last year, and around 100 volunteers assist each year. Balay acknowledged it can be challenging to keep the right ratio of people in the kitchen to people managing the buffet and other areas, but the logistical gymnastics are well worth it.
“Everyone is so wonderful and willing to help out and do whatever. It’s just amazing,” she said.
The dinner consists of traditional fare: turkey and ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, a cooked vegetable, Caesar salad and buns, and ice cream with toppings for dessert.
While the Athabasca Ministerial Association accepts donations towards the dinner, at the event itself, the fundraising focus switches to the Good Samaritan Mission Food Bank and Santa’s Anonymous.
Ministerial association member Marty Hays said the dinner costs about $3,000 in terms of invoices that must be paid for the multiplex rental, insurance and food. That figure does not include all the donated food, and Hays said even the $3,000 is generally covered by donations.
A large contingent of Rochester School students will be returning to help as they do each year, and Balay said it’s possible youths from the Edwin Parr Composite Pacers football team, the Athabasca Native Friendship Centre and Landing Trail Intermediate School will also assist.
While Balay noted the high number of returning volunteers, she said more are welcome.
“We hope to see all our past volunteers and new ones.”
She also pointed to the work done by the nine-member Community Christmas Dinner committee well in advance of Dec. 5, from a designated “grocery girl” trying to find sales on dinner ingredients to people printing and putting up posters .
Anyone interested in donating funds to the dinner can make cheques payable to the Athabasca Ministerial Association (at 4008-50th Ave., T9S 1M2) and should indicate the donation is for the dinner. Those interested in volunteering should contact Balay at 780-675-7161 or [email protected], ideally by Dec. 2.
