Festooned with Christmas charm, the Park Rapids American Legion set the scene for the 36th annual Community Christmas Dinner.
Co-organizers Sara Gallus and sister Lori Cannon collaborate with their dad Dennis Anderson and Lynn Spilman to organize the feast.
Their motto is “no one should spend Christmas Day hungry or alone.”
Guests received a heaping plate of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, coleslaw, corn, dinner roll and Christmas cookie.
“We did a total of 810 meals today with takeouts and dine-in,” Gallus reported.
She estimated 220 meals were delivered to the homebound.
The serving line included annual helpers Craig, Missy and Cole Rossman and Kora Just with mom Lynn.
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Phyllis DeCramer was among the volunteer drivers. “Well, we’re part of the auxiliary and we had Christmas with our kids this past weekend,” she said.
Phyllis DeCramer readies to take meals to the homebound on Christmas Day. She pauses for a photo with Sara Gallus.
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Dewey and Marion Goeden offered to help, too. This was their first year. “Lynn twisted my arm,” Marion joked.
Gallus mapped out routes and delivery times for every team. She sits down the night before, scheduling four or five deliveries within the same area, “so they’re maybe not gone for more than an hour, hour-and-a-half. They can still come back, eat, then go with their families because we have enough that volunteer that we’re able to do that. We’re very grateful.”
Laura Scanlon greets – and assists, as needed – patrons at the 2024 Community Christmas Dinner.
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This was Laura Scanlon and Randy Duce’s first time volunteering at the meal. They were greeters during the first shift of the day.
Dewey and Marion Goeden receive instructions from Sara Gallus before delivering meals in the area.
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“We’re a blended family with lots of places to go on Christmas, so we actually rent a lodge and we celebrate over New Year’s,” she explained, “so we are alone for Christmas this year. We decided with our friends, who are doing the coffee table, to go out and do something.”
Scanlon converted a tree skirt into a festive outfit to match her Santa hat.
There was no charge for the meal, but freewill offerings were welcome.
1/3: Julie Snow, assisted by sons Jesse and Brennan, handles curbside deliveries on Christmas Day.
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2/3: A grateful diner throws a donation into the pot.
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3/3: This group of friends met to enjoy the 2024 Community Christmas Dinner. They are, from left, Gary Holk, Sue Klosner, Marie Yliniemi, Lavonne Martson and Mark Hamborg.
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Proceeds above and beyond the cost of the dinner are donated to nonprofits in the Park Rapids area.