We all know this has been an unusual and difficult year, but what we saw last week was a unique and  beautiful sight. Throughout Christmas Day, over 100 people were blessed with food, companionship and joy as they came together to share a wonderful Christmas meal. Here are some reflections from one of our planning committee members, Sue Burge (who herself just lost her husband this past year):

“I passed a homeless woman coming out of the hall, with a sweet smile. I met her earlier this month. She was burnt out and in emergency housing. A family on Route 27 ... who has nobody ... they were there and we spoke.  I saw a gentleman living closer to me on Route 27 who lost his wife years ago ... he was there alone and there was a fabulous dinner for him. I met a woman who just lost her husband ... she was there and as painful as her heart is today, she came.“

These are some of the people we longed to encourage and serve.

But none of this would have been possible without the help of our folks in this community. Thank you to the American Legion for providing a place to eat, to Betty and Phil and Laura, and David and Mary, and Duane, and Arthur, and Betsy and Dave, and Big Al, and Shaw’s Supermarket, and Eventide, and our families, and countless others who pitched in to financially or physically help.

We love you and are truly blessed to live with you in this wonderful community!

The Christmas Community Dinner Committee

Nancy, Sue, Eve, Charlene and Barb