Submitted
The 16th annual Community Christmas Dinner will be held on Christmas Day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VFW in Hays, located at 22nd & Vine.
The meal will consist of roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, a dinner roll, dessert, and is free of charge.
Donations received will be used to cover expenses and any extra will be given to area organizations that serve and assist residents, in an effort to 'give back' all that has been given.
The Community Christmas Dinner began with the vision to bring the community together for a Christmas meal, and to return to the true reason for the season - the remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas can quickly become overshadowed by the busyness that tends to arise with the holiday season, and focus loss regarding the true meaning.
The Community Christmas Dinner offers a time to refocus on the birth of Christ, provides the opportunity for community members to serve/be served, and simply enjoy each other's company. Though Jesus is celebrated all are welcome regardless of personal beliefs.
Service also extends beyond the walls of the VFW through the delivery of meals to those who are homebound. The Community Christmas Dinner stands upon the scripture that “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8), and has continued to be an example of this kind of love throughout the years.
Volunteer opportunities will be available on Christmas Day prior to the meal, during the meal, and after. Some of the opportunities include decorating, directing traffic, preparing to-go boxes for delivery, filling drinks, clearing tables, delivering meals, washing dishes, cleaning after the event, and other miscellaneous tasks that arise.
Desserts for the meal are provided by community members, and these remain needed at this time.
For anyone who is homebound and would like a meal delivered, or if wishing to volunteer, provide desserts, or make a donation, please use the following contact information: 785-625-5528 through December 18 and 785-675-1344 December 19 - December 24 or email: [email protected]
Thank you to the VFW, New Life Center, and Northwestern Printers, as well as all the volunteers who help make this celebration possible.