Christmas Dinner needs volunteers to take it over
By Correne Martin
The annual Christmas Dinner has been offered for over 30 years in Prairie du Chien, serving 500-600 free traditional-style meals to community members.
While area businesses generously donate supplies and monetary assistance to make it happen, the non-profit, all-volunteer crew that has organized and hosted it for so long is not able to do it any longer. They are seeking a few individuals or a group to manage and run the Christmas Dinner this year and on into the future.
“If no one steps forward, the dinner will unfortunately not go forward,” said Roy George, one of volunteers.
“There’s some money in the fund (from the last year it was held),” added Jayne Prew, another one of the volunteers, who did most of the cooking along with Tammi Smith the last 10 years. “We usually fund-raise enough each year for the next year.”
In 2020, the Christmas Dinner did not happen due to concern over the coronavirus. However, it was held in 2019, at Prairie du Chien High School, and over 500 people enjoyed the meal, Prew said.
Anyone who has taken the time to enjoy or serve at the annual Christmas Dinner can understand how much this is needed in the community of Prairie du Chien.
“It’s always been an opportunity to gather socially to celebrate the holiday with friends, family and new acquaintances,” George said. “It’s beneficial to the community. It brings camaraderie to the families. People can come and meet and talk with others. Everybody needs this at Christmas time.”
George said, many times, some of the regular senior citizens came not only because of the socialization, but also since they didn’t want to make the traditional Christmas meal for only themselves at home.
Prew agreed. “It just brings people together,” she said. “Also, there’s a lot of deliveries, as some people don’t desire to eat in a group. We delivered to the elderly apartments, the jail, local hotels where people stay when they don’t have anywhere else to go.
“Some ordered three days worth of meals.”
Prew said the volunteers once offered handicapped transportation as well, but it wasn’t greatly utilized so they stopped that.
The sky is the limit though, she said. “I believe it would be good to have someone certified in food service to be part of the new group of volunteers.”
Prew noted, the committee is happy to pass along its files and suggestions to ensure this Christmas, the dinner can go on smoothly.
Any organization or individuals who desire to take over this compassionate commitment are encouraged to contact Roy George at 326-2552 or roy.c.george@hotmail.com.
