The spirit of Christmas shone brightly as approximately 224 people gathered for the annual Carman/Dufferin Christmas Day Dinner at the Carman Community Hall. Organizer Susan Mooney, along with fellow committee members Ross Bursey, Irene Stevenson, Kenton, and Amy Vanderveen, were thrilled with this year’s turnout.
“Yet again, it just went very well,” Mooney said. “We had 24 volunteers show up on Christmas Eve, working from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. setting up tables, preparing vegetables, and carving the turkey. It was a long but very productive day. I’m so grateful for all their help.”
Planning and preparing for the meal began well in advance.
“It’s a lot of people to feed. I think Ross and Irene worked the longest hours to organize the food. We serve about 150 pounds of potatoes every year, bake eight turkeys, and about four or five hams. Silver Winds in Sperling donated fresh homemade buns for the dinner. It’s incredibly special that these individuals give their time, and it’s just so amazing how our community responds,” Mooney shared.
As always, the cost of the hearty meal was a mere $5, with additional requests for donations.
“Originally, when we planned the first meal in 2011, it was sponsored by Healthy Communities Carman/Dufferin, and we asked a few other places if they’d be interested in supporting us as well. The RHA was very supportive. We had no idea of the outcome at that time. We sold 106 tickets for the dinner that first year,” Mooney recalled.
The event’s popularity has steadily grown, and Mooney found it heartwarming to see so many familiar faces gathered on Christmas Day. It brought together people of all ages and backgrounds, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt at home.
‘Sometimes they’d know the people sitting at the table with them, and other times they didn’t, but the conversation just kept going. It felt very comfortable and very friendly. This was for everybody and drew quite a variety of people from all around the community and beyond.”
The doors opened at 4 p.m., and people streamed in.
“And when the meal was over, no one felt rushed to leave. They sat around chatting and enjoying the desserts, which were provided by different churches in the community and were absolutely awesome,” Mooney added.
As the festive event drew to a close, families, including children, lingered and chipped in to help clean up. “That part was so encouraging as well. They’re teaching kids to be helpers at an early age,” she noted.
The committee is particularly grateful to Handivan driver Ben Peters, who began delivering people as early as 3:30 p.m. and still did pick-ups after 5 p.m. “He was so busy. We can’t thank Handivan enough for donating the vehicle for the day because it allowed people with mobility issues to attend as well,” Mooney expressed.
She reiterated that this annual event would not be possible without the community’s outpouring of support and the volunteers who help bring it all together. “Without volunteers, this event would cease to exist. It really takes a village. We are so grateful that the Christmas Dinner was another great success,” she said.
Mooney and the committee are already excited for next year’s dinner, eager to continue the tradition of spreading joy and bringing the community closer together. With the support of dedicated volunteers and generous donors, Mooney says she’s sure the Christmas Day Dinner will continue to be a highlight of the holiday season in Carman for years to come.
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Volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. to make sure that 224 guests enjoyed a Christmas feast of ham and turkey with all the fixings. Vanderveens donated poinsettias for all the tables
