Photo submitted Volunteers are shown preparing for last year’s St. Marys Christmas Day Dinner. Now in its 15th year the dinner is a free event held at the First United Methodist Church on N. St. Marys St. beginning at 12:30 p.m.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

Reservations are currently being taken for the St. Marys Area Christmas Day Dinner, a free meal for any residents of St. Marys, Bennetts Valley and Kersey who are alone or unable to prepare a meal or those who wish to share their Christmas Day with others.

Diners can chose to eat in or have their meal delivered. Reservations may be made by contacting Suzanne at 335-0860, Margie at 787-4659 or Alice at 781-1360.

“This dinner is a community project to show how much we care about those around us,” said Vada Liptak, co-founder of the event.

Dinner is served family style, by passing around various food dishes, inside Asbury Hall at the First United Methodist Church on N. St. Marys St. beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Musical entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m. and will continue after the meal. Santa will also be on hand to award door prizes.

According to Liptak 400 people were served last year with 160 dining in and 240 meals delivered.

Meals consist of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, jello salad, a piece of pie and a roll.

“Businesses in St. Marys have been very generous,” Liptak said.

Many businesses donate turkeys, hams and pies while monetary donations are utilized to purchase additional food items.

Donations of pies, jello salad, ham and turkeys can be arranged by contacting Alice while monetary donations may be sent to County National Bank, with checks payable to St. Marys Area Christmas Day Dinner.

Overall the program is run by a volunteer staff ranging from 50-75. Liptak said about 25 volunteers are utilized for delivering meals, while others help prepare food, serve food, pack meals and clean up. Individuals or families wishing to volunteer are encouraged to contact Liptak at 834-2230.

“We are very well organized with lots of the same people volunteering,” Liptak noted.

Liptak founded the program along with Shirley Alexander who moved from the area about five years ago. Since then Alice Weisner has stepped in to assist Liptak. Preparations for this year’s dinner began in September.

Liptak explained the dinner originally came about after a resident mentioned starting one in St. Marys to serve local residents as well as those from Kersey and Bennetts Valley.

“We have had 14 successful years with this service to the public and we are planning to continue this year and years to come,” Liptak said.