Residents of Boyle congregated at the Community Centre last Wednesday to grab a free plate of turkey dinner and enjoy some quality on-stage folk entertainment as part of the fifth annual Boyle Community Christmas Supper.
“Easily over 200” people came through the doors, said one organizer.
Members of the organizing committee, including Marilyn Meichel, Marilyn Schroderus and Lisa Nakonechny, were thrilled with the turnout and with Boyle’s sense of community, acknowledging it as one big Christmas dinner for the community.
The Seabrook family from the Boyle area performed folk music for the hall.
Five years ago members of the community felt they wanted to have a Community Christmas Supper just as Athabasca had been doing for years.
“The organizing committee would like to extend their gratitude to the businesses, services, organizations and churches who donated food, money or their time to make this event a success,” said Veronica Dribnenki.
Schroderus acknowledged the Seventh Day Adventist Church as the supper’s main sponsor, but that volunteers from other churches in the community brought desserts and provided their volunteer time as well. She said any donations raised at the door that exceed cost of expenses covered goes back into the community, though the exact charitable causes are still being decided.
“I think it’s really cool, because it’s a community thing,” said Matthew Piquette, 13, from Boyle, who said he enjoyed the music and entertainment. “In a small community, everyone knows each other, so it’s more of a ‘thank you’.”
