For nearly 20 years a group of volunteers has spent Christmas Day in the kitchen of the Mary Winspear Centre making sure turkeys are cooked, stuffing is seasoned and plates are full, welcoming the community to share in a meal.
Originally the idea was to provide a place for seniors spending Christmas alone, but the tradition has grown to include families from across the Peninsula.
B次元官网网址淎nyone who wants to come,B次元官网网址� says volunteer co-ordinator Wendy Warshawski. B次元官网网址淚 just love to see the people that are benefiting from it.B次元官网网址�
RELATED:
Nineteen years ago, roughly 50 people came to a Christmas lunch held at the former Silver Threads seniors centre.
By the following year, the team had moved to Bodine Hall at the Mary Winspear Centre because of the B次元官网网址渉uge increase in attendance,B次元官网网址� Warshawski says.
This year a team of 35 volunteers will tie on an apron and get down to work cooking a festive feast with all the trimmings thanks to donations from Fairway Market, Save-on-Foods and Thrifty Foods in Sidney.
RELATED:
Dessert is provided by Breadstuffs Deli and Bakery in Brentwood Bay and for those who may need transportation getting to the hall, members of the Lions Club will be on hand to get folks in, and home again.
Warshawski and her team start preparing for the event in September as the number of attendees continues to grow each year. Admission is by donation but no one will be turned away for lack of funds or space.
B次元官网网址淲e will make room,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淪taff here will always throw up another table.B次元官网网址�
Two scheduled sittings at 11:15 and 1:15 help to disperse the crowd and ensure Santa gets to visit with everyone.
And though the now 85-year-old Warshawski is at the helm of the whole production she is quick to extend the credit, to the local businesses who make the meal possible and to her dedicated chef, Clara Knight.
B次元官网网址淣obody is the boss,B次元官网网址� she stresses. B次元官网网址淲e work as a team.B次元官网网址�
To reserve a table call Wendy Warshawski at 250-656-7678.
@kristyn_anthony
kristyn.anthony@blackpress.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
