Annual Community Christmas Dinner Featuring New AARP Contributions

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While enjoying this holiday season it’s important to remember to take the time to give to the less fortunate members of the community; which is why AARP volunteers are giving back at this year’s Community Christmas Dinner. Starting at 11 a.m. in Christmas Day at the Community Market, located on 629 Craghead St. Danville, VA 24541, AARP will provide free resources on important topics including caregiving, fraud and housing while guests can enjoy a warm meal.

This year’s volunteers are planning to make 1,200 holiday meals and over 400 home deliveries. The meal will include ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls, desserts and drinks. After the meal kicks off at 10 a.m. and lunch is served at 11 a.m. everybody gets to go to the gift room for a blanket, coat and hygiene bag. “Our main goal is the dinner and fellowship for the needy,” said Cheryl Sutherland, chairman of the Community Christmas Dinner, “Anybody can show up that needs a meal.”

Volunteer opportunities include:

• December 23-24 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to help setup and decorate. No sign up needed.
• Dec 25 - the biggest need is servers. The serving of the meal begins at 11:00 a.m. so servers should arrive at 10:30 a.m. Serving continues until about 1:00 p.m., so if you can't get there at 10:30 you can still come and help as soon as you can.  With Christmas being on Sunday this year, and folks wanting to go to their church service, it is a little more difficult to get volunteers than usual.

Volunteers are welcome to just show up, but if interested in helping volunteers are encourages to contact Ed White directly attigered1967@gmail.com  Donations can be sent to Community Christmas Dinner, P.O. Box 2654, Danville, Va. 24541.