Spirits were high at the annual Community Christmas dinner, with 40 more plates served than last year.
There were 187 attendees at this year's banquet, according to organizer Andrew Brohman. There were actually more people than expected and volunteers had to set up some extra tables for the dinner at Agassiz’ Agricultural Hall last Thursday, Dec. 18. Brohman is happy to see more people attending each year, with a steady growth from about 80 the first year to approximately 140 last year.
"Slowly each year it's getting bigger and bigger,” he states.
Brohman and other firefighters from the Agassiz Fire Department, with help from a few other individuals, put together the event each December for local families who are feeling the pinch. Lori's Catering provides all the food for the event, with turkey, ham and all the trimmings.
The department gave Agassiz-Harrison Community Services 300 tickets to hand out. Brohman's hope is that, as the dinner becomes more well-known each year, more and more of the people given the tickets will come. Locals can also buy tickets to come to this great social event, with proceeds benefitting Agassiz-Harrison Community Services.
The purpose of the dinner is "to provide a nice Christmas meal for those in need," says Brohman.
He says it was good to see such a positive turnout this year and that people really seemed to enjoy the meal. Santa Claus even dropped in for a visit, giving out oranges and candy canes to the kids.
“Everybody was appreciative,” he remarks.
Several companies donate money for the event each year. In past years, they used the money to make the setting more festive with Christmas decorations. This year, organizers decided to use the funds to buy gift certificates to hand out to some of the attendees. They hope to give out certificates again next year and gladly welcome donations.
For more information regarding donations, call the Agassiz Fire Department at 604-796-2614.