Preparations are underway for another Christmas dinner at the Evergreen Centre.
This year, organizer Henry Sonnenberg, who has been organizing the event for 28 years, is cooking for 190 to 200 people because 187 people showed up last year, up from about 150 when the first dinner was held.
The buffet-style dinner, offered from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will include turkey, ham, beef, vegetables, three salads, dessert, coffee, tea, punch, and apple cider.
Some people bring little gifts for some kids. Chocolates and candy are also often set out.
“It's kind of a full deal,” Sonnenberg says.
And it's all free.
As always, Sonnenberg will receive help from an army of volunteers, including Dale Saby and some of his fellow Lions Club members. The event is sponsored in part by the Lions Club.
Sonnenberg does all the cooking and delivers the food to the hall. Saby provides rides for those who need it and delivers meals to those who can't make it. Other volunteers lay out the food, collect and wash dishes, etc.
“Quite a number of businesses have been making donations of turkeys and such which is greatly appreciated,” Sonnenberg says.
Sonnenberg started offering the Christmas dinner about 28 years ago when he operated Olds Bakery and Catering out of what is now the Different Strokes building.
“It used to be on Christmas and Boxing Day there wasn't a single restaurant open in town. In those days there were only two restaurants: mine and Public Lunch. We were normally both closed Christmas Day,” Sonnenberg says. “That's where it started, and then it just expanded.”
Nearly 30 years later there are many more restaurants in town but Sonnenberg says the need is still there.
“It's just been people who are alone, a lot of college kids and older couples who are in their 60s, 70s and 80s,” he says. “They don't have a place to go. Whatever apartment they're in, they don't really have the facilities to cook themselves a Christmas meal.
“Most people are just happy they've got some place to sit down where they have people around to visit with and enjoy the food. That's what it's all about,” he says.
Ten to 12 volunteers help out. Sonnenberg says it's a social occasion for them too.
“Young mothers with kids, they come down there and help clean tables, wash dishes and visit,” he says.
Sonnenberg figures he puts in a couple of 18-hour days to get everything ready for the Christmas Day meal.
When asked why he goes to all that effort, Sonnenberg says, “I enjoy doing it. It started out because it was a necessity. There was a need for it. Now I'm alone; my kids are in Fort McMurray and all over the country. I'm all by myself so I get the company.”
Saby says on Christmas Day, volunteers will begin setting everything up at about 8 a.m., because the first customers start arriving right around 10:30 a.m.
