The smell of roasted turkey and ham filled VFW Post 264 on Christmas Day as volunteers worked to serve a record-breaking 235 free holiday meals to community members, marking the 13th consecutive year of the local tradition.
“This tradition has become one of my favorite days of the year,” said Adrian Baressi, VFW club manager, who has watched the annual Christmas dinner grow from a modest beginning in 2013 to this year’s unprecedented turnout. The steady increase reflects both the program’s growing reputation and the community’s ongoing need, with previous years typically seeing between 100 and 150 meals served, with last year’s count reaching 190.
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The operation runs with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, offering guests three options: dine-in service at the post, takeout meals or home delivery for those unable to travel. This year, volunteers also delivered meals to the local fire department and police station as a gesture of gratitude for the first responders’ year-round service to the community.
Behind every successful meal service stands an army of dedicated volunteers, and this year’s event was no exception. Thirty-three community members donated their Christmas Day to ensure their neighbors enjoyed a warm, festive meal. Among them were three volunteers who have answered the call every year since the tradition began in 2013, demonstrating more than a decade of continuous service to their community.
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The success of the Christmas dinner relies heavily on the generosity of local donors who provide the ingredients for the feast. Tom and Janel Neylon made a contribution of 10 turkeys and 10 hams, ensuring the main course could feed the crowd. Additional support came from Sander’s Markets, Shelly Malek of Maplevale Farms Inc. in Falconer, N.Y., and Curtze Food Service in Erie, each playing a role in making the meal possible.
This year saw an especially heartwarming outpouring of community support in the dessert department, with numerous residents dropping off homemade and store-bought sweets to complete the holiday meal.
“We are very thankful for everyone who donated and all who volunteered,” Baressi emphasized, noting the collaborative spirit that makes the event possible.
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The VFW Christmas dinner serves a dual purpose in the community. For some guests, it provides a hot, nutritious meal during a time when resources may be stretched thin. For others, particularly those who might otherwise spend the holiday alone, it offers companionship and the warmth of community connection. The volunteers and donors, meanwhile, find their own fulfillment in the act of giving back, creating a cycle of generosity that has strengthened year after year since its inception over a decade ago.
As the community looks ahead to future holidays, the steady growth of the VFW Christmas dinner tradition suggests it will continue serving as a cornerstone of local holiday celebrations for years to come.
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Dining and Cooking