Dear editor,
Re: The 29th annual Earl Naswell free Christmas dinner.
With donations of turkeys, veggies and desserts and moneys collected from Valley businesses and private persons, chef Andrew with the assistance of volunteers cooked Christmas dinner with all the trimmings to a record number of 220 guests in the dining room of the Filberg Centre, plus 150 takeout dinners for a total of 370 dinners served.
We also had a Christmas blessing by a Buddhist monk which was very well received. We also had a volunteer musician playing Christmas music. Santa and his wife (Ken and Chiral) give each guest a pair of warm gloves.
And Christmas Presents, for the children.
Looking back to eight years ago, we used to cater to around 125 guests.
Thanks to Valley Charitable Bingo Society, Bruce Abbots, Courtenay Chrysler Dodge, Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, Tim Hortons, Butcher Block, Branch 17 Courtenay Legion, Comox Legion, Tony Ross, Nelson Roofing, Thrifty Foods, Fortis BC Gas, Mazda Motors, KIA Motors, Brian McLean Chevrolet, Baxandall Ford, Heavenly Goodies Bread, Sunwest Volkswagen, Central Builders, Nissan Motors, City of Courtenay Florence Filberg Centre, Country Market, SuperStore, Safeway, Saputo Foods, Home Depot, Fosters Veg, Art Knapp, Billy D's Pub, Costco, Canadian Tire, C.V R.V. Ltd, Q Foods Courtenay, Q Foods Comox, Future shop, Ex Foods Comox, Royal Bank, Plates Restaurant, Dave Logan, Dave Hanson, Dennis Crawford, Mrs. McGinnis, Comox Valley Echo, Comox Valley Record, Planet Clean. Plus a big thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work and time to give those in need a Christmas dinner. With the spirit of Christmas,
Gerry Smith, Rob James, Pat Morrison
Dinner coordinators