For Tala McCrossan, a Christmas Day lunch at the Welcome In Drop-In Centre in downtown Guelph was as good as Christmas with family.
“This is a place for adults in need of help, and they really do help,” said McCrossan, who has a disability that makes it difficult for her to make ends meet. “They are really nice people here. And I get to play the piano whenever I want.”
Among the good people serving lunch and giving out gifts on Sunday was the centre’s executive director Gail Hoekstra.
A queue running from a resource area, through an office and out into a back storage area formed to receive large boxes filled with a warm sweater, personal hygiene items, and other needful things. Santa Claus – a rather trim version – was on hand to greet all.
As she handed out the boxes, Hoekstra wished each person a merry Christmas. She knew everyone on a first-name basis.
“It’s been awesome,” she said. “We’ve had a great couple of days.”
The outpouring of generous giving from the community, she said, has been heartwarming. Food donations have streamed in, filling the centre’s larder. Bountiful Christmas lunches were served Saturday and Sunday, and one will be served again on Boxing Day. There is plenty of food to go around, including a number of turkeys.
Hoestra said many turned up on Christmas Day to volunteer, including a father with his children, and a young woman and her fiancé. One long-time volunteer who asked not to be named said he had never seen the event better attended, or so lively.
“This is a place and a time to celebrate with the people you spent the year with,” said McCossan. “The food is always wonderful at Christmas.”
Jessie Boland was grateful for the event.
“It’s for people who don’t necessarily have family around,” she said. “And when you come here, you have this family. It’s just very warm and giving.”
The Dublin Street United Church auditorium was packed with guests and volunteers Christmas afternoon, as the annual dinner was held. Organizer Sarah Martin expected 110 guests.
“It is so much fun doing it,” she said. “We got more volunteers than I can use. It makes for a lovely group of people from throughout the community, all working together as one community.”
Like the Drop-In Centre, donations poured in, both in food and cash. The kitchen of the auditorium was bustling with activity. Two men carved turkey in one area, several women dished up vegetables in another area, and a shelf lined with slices of fresh-baked pie awaited devouring.
Christmas songs were sprinkled into the event, and lively conversation happened at every table.
One man, who asked not to be named, said he comes annually to the dinner, for the great food and the good company. He came in 2013 during the ice storm, when many people went without electricity, and the venue was more packed than usual.
Back at the Drop-In Centre, volunteer Blair Freeman said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve his community on Christmas Day.
“I’ve been dealt a relatively good hand in my life,” he said. “When I can help out others, it’s rewarding. There are a lot of really intelligent people here who are kind of neglected in our society. Everybody should try to help them out.”
