Christmas Day Dinner brings people together
- Chris Abbott
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
On Christmas Day, everyone should enjoy being seated around a table with family, or friends, or just a friendly community, having a festive meal together.
That’s what drives the annual Community Christmas Day Dinner in Simcoe, hosted by Church Out Serving at Riversyde 83. On Dec. 25, more than 200 people experienced that joy.
Participants enjoyed a full-on traditional Christmas Dinner, complete with turkey, ham and all the trimmings. Food was prepared by volunteers - either cooking, serving food and beverages, or clearing and cleaning tables. It was the first Church Out Serving free Christmas Day luncheon for volunteers Chantal Matheson and her son Connor Matheson.
“I started (volunteering with Church Out Serving) in the summer,” said Chantal. “I just wanted to help the community, give back.”
“It’s been fun,” said Connor, a Toronto Maple Leafs fan wearing a Chicago Blackhawks ‘Griswold’ jersey.
“He works at the Beach House in Port Dover, so he’s already a server,” Chantal smiled. “It’s been nice, we get to spend time together today.”
Trish Shaw and James Bertling, who were attending their third Christmas Day luncheon at Riversyde 83, enjoyed the meal and the fellowship.
“The friendship,” said Shaw. “Getting to see people I haven’t seen in a long time, that’s nice. And the food is the best.”
“It really is the best,” Bertling nodded. “Always have real good meals here. We love coming here.”
Riley Heward was attending her first Christmas Day luncheon.
“We just wanted to see other people, get out, not be alone,” said Heward. “It was amazing.”
“It’s a great dinner,” said Church Out Serving’s Eric Haverkamp. “We try to make it a festive atmosphere… and the jolly old soul from the North Pole pops in. I think it’s a very festive event that brings lots of cheer and laughter into peoples’ day.”
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