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| By Michelle Symington Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD Members of the Ecumenical Outreach Organization want to make sure no one goes without a holiday meal on Christmas Eve. For over 20 years, the organization has hosted the annual Ecumenical Christmas Eve Dinner at the First United Methodist Church on Main Street in West Springfield. The dinner, which is also sponsored by the West Springfield Parish Association, is for the entire community. Rose Desrosiers, outreach coordinator for the Ecumenical Outreach Organization and representative of St. Thomas Church, said volunteers from many area churches come together to put on the dinner for anyone in need of a meal on Christmas Eve. She added that families, members of the community who spend the holiday alone and members of the community who are homeless are welcome to attend the dinner. "It is a community dinner and it's free," she said. "Anyone is welcome." According to Desrosiers, 140 people were served dinner at the church and an additional 40 meals were delivered to homebound individuals last year. She added that she anticipates this year's dinner will serve between 150 to 175 people and about 60 or 70 meals will be delivered to members of the community at home. "I know there is a big need out there," she said. Desrosiers said the number of volunteers for the dinner grows each year as well. "Last year we had about 25 to 30 volunteers," she said, adding that many volunteer year after year. Desrosiers said that some volunteers enjoy serving the main meal, while others love to serve at the dessert table, hand out toys, or deliver the meals to the homebound community members. The Senior Center provides the list of people, who need meals delivered, to the Ecumenical Outreach Organization, which then coordinates the deliveries. "Homebound people love seeing the people who deliver the meals," Desrosiers said. Desrosiers is at the church on Dec. 23 to prepare for the event. She said that she is sometimes joined by local children looking to do some community service and she puts them to work rolling the silverware and decorating the tables. Much of the meal is prepared ahead of time, but Desrosiers said two volunteer cooks, Dick Clark and Rachel Hartman, begin to prepare the hams the morning of the dinner. Desrosiers explained that members of the Ecumenical Outreach Organization donate the hams for the dinner and much of the canned goods, vegetables and potatoes are purchased with the funds donated from the West Springfield Parish Association. Turkey with gravy and "all of the trimmings" will be served in addition to the ham this year, according to Desrosiers. The turkeys were donated by Chick and Barbara Amsden. Although there are enough food items for the main meal, Desrosiers said that she is in need of baked goods. "Christmas time is a special time of year," she said. "Everyone likes home baked [goods]." She also said "pies are a big hit." Volunteers who would like to bake a pie or other dessert items for the event can bring them to the church the morning of the dinner. Toys for children ages infant to 12 are needed as well. Desrosiers said items such as training cups, bibs, books, Barbie dolls, trucks, cars or anything appropriate for children through the age of 12 are needed. The toy bags for the children are made up at the church and donors can drop off items after 1:30 p.m. the day of the dinner. Donors can call Desrosiers at 734-9853 to donate as well. "I am more than happy to accept them and bring them to the church," she said. She added that any last minute donations will go into the bags until the last possible moment. "There are a bunch of wonderful people and with everyone pulling together it turns out to be a wonderful event," Desrosiers said. If anyone would like to volunteer for the dinner, which takes place Dec. 24 from 4 - 5 p.m., or would like to deliver meals, they can contact Desrosiers at 734-9853. |