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Christmas Dinner event a tradititon in Sidney

The dinner is for people who would otherwise be alone on Christmas.
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Christmas dinner sponsors and organizers. Back row

SIDNEY — The 15th annual Christmas Day Peninsula community dinner is definitely a tradition in Sidney.

This special event will be held again at the Mary Winspear Community Cultural Centre on Dec. 25.

Delightful entertainment will be provided during the dinner and Santa will be on hand to add to the merriment and give out gifts.

Register in advance between now and Dec. 20 for the 11 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. sittings by calling Wendy at 250-656-7678 during the day. Please give complete details (also if you need a ride).

The dinner is for people who would otherwise be alone on Christmas — not only singles but newcomers to the Saanich Peninsula and couples who don’t have relatives or whose families are far away.

In previous years, community residents who enjoyed the dinner have been diverse in age: a few children, occasionally a baby and some young adults often join the many seniors who come out.

Long-time cook Clara Knight will be joined again by chef John MacKelson to prepare the culinary coup, along with the help of the kitchen crew.

More than 40 volunteers will ensure that the event runs smoothly.

Dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For those wishing to stay and enjoy the music once they are finished their meal, extra seating will be provided, to free up seats at tables for others.

Organizers hope that community support will ensure this much-needed event is sustainable so it can continue.

Donations can be made directly at the Scotia Bank on Beacon Avenue or at the dinner.

The three major food stores are contributing the food for the dinner — Fairway Market, Save-On-Foods and Thrifty Foods. They have already agreed to equally donate, as they have done for the last several years.

Breadstuffs Bakery in Brentwood Bay will donate and serve all the desserts.

The Mary Winspear Centre has generously donated the space for this year.

Jim Dunn and other Sidney Lions Club members will provide rides for those who require them.

This dinner definitely is a tradition on the peninsula that fills a need for people who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. More than 200 hundred people have attended each year.

— Submitted by Wendy Warshawski/Dinner organizing committee