THUNDER BAY - No holiday season would be complete without a classic turkey dinner and all the fixings, and those who may not be able to have such a meal or family to share it with were not going to miss out on the tradition, courtesy of another tradition that has been ongoing for 24 years.
On Sunday, the Salvation Army and the Valhalla Inn hosted more than 350 people for the 24th Annual Community Christmas Dinner.
“The people really enjoy this,” said Major Lori Mitchell, executive director of Salvation Army community and residential services.
“It’s something that is a highlight for many of them. For a lot of people we serve, they wouldn’t have an opportunity to come to the Valhalla at any other time of the year. So to come for this, it’s very special. The Valhalla does such a wonderful job and really makes it a beautiful event for people to come to.”
While the Valhalla Inn has partnered with the Salvation Army for the past 24 years to prepare and serve the meal, this marks the third year the dinner was served in the ballroom at the hotel.
“If there is one way to get into the Christmas spirit, this is definitely the way to do it,” said Valhalla Inn general manager, Travis Batting. “Opening your doors to people in need and we’ve been excited and very honoured to be part of this special event for 24 years.”
But the day included more than just dinner. There were also clowns entertaining the kids, a holiday choir, and of course, Santa Claus. The event also includes a toy room for parents to find that perfect Christmas gift for their kids.
“We have it set up as kind of a shopping experience,” Mitchell said. “The parents are allowed to come in and with a volunteer they choose toys for their children. They can choose what their child may like for Christmas.”
This year it took more than 25 volunteers who worked tirelessly preparing and serving the meal, but Batting said the annual dinner is always a special event for the staff at the Valhalla.
“This is something we give them the option to volunteer and we always have an overwhelming response and it says something about our staff and how they want to give back to the community,” he said.
And even though it takes a lot of work to serve more than 350 people the traditional holiday meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and stuffing, seeing everyone sharing a meal together makes this tradition a special one.
“There are a lot of people who don’t have the same opportunities as many of us do,” Mitchell said. “For me, I take for granted that I can have a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and presents, but not everybody has everything that I have.”
