THUNDER BAY – The Salvation Army in partnership with the Lakehead Rotary Club hosted a Christmas feast for the guests who attended the 28th Annual Community Christmas Dinner.
On Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. a free turkey dinner with all the trimmings was provided in a festive Christmas atmosphere at The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre.
“So, this is our first sit down at this actual centre,” said Gary Ferguson, executive director of Salvation Army Journey Life Centre. “So, with the help of the Lakehead Rotary, we're able to put this on for the community.”
The dinner featured a visit from Santa who guests could take a photo with and parents had an opportunity to arrange a visit to the “toy shop” to select gifts for their children.
This year, the Lakehead Rotary Club sponsored the dinner to make it possible to offer the meal and Lakehead Rotarians and family members volunteered to help serve food.
“It's the first one and held in a few years just due to the pandemic,” said Allan Kozlo, president of the Lakehead Rotary Club.
“So, we're having people in house here at the journey to life centre and we have a number of volunteers to serve the meal and we're looking forward to full house.”
Ferguson says that the generous contributions by the community is much appreciated by The Salvation Army and those who come to enjoy this festive occasion.
“I think it's important because Christmas time is a time that many people are lonely,” he said.
“There's much need in our community, we've seen the need rise and it's our part that we're contributing to those people, so we're asking people to come out and join some fellowship, camaraderie, and have a great Christmas dinner.”
