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New location for annual Community Christmas Dinner

Dec 22, 2014 | 11:07 AM

The Community Christmas Dinner is quickly approaching and organizers have been hard at work planning the event since the summer.

The events communications co-ordinator John Dorian said in the summertime, volunteers go to different garage sales and purchase toys for the kids who attend the dinner.

“Every child gets a gift that comes to the dinner and then sometimes we give them two, three toys,” he said. Before a family leaves the event the children are invited to a special room to pick out a toy.

“They get to pick the toys that they want, but we don’t allow parents in the room,” because he believes the kids should be able to pick what they want.

The dinner has been hosted for more than 10 years, but the goals of the gathering have always been the same.

“It’s to help the less fortunate at Christmas time and also to share a Christmas dinner with them (and) to promote our Cree-Métis relationship teachings,” he said.

Dorian said the event, which used to be held at St. Mary’s High School has now been moved to the Prince Albert Travelodge.

He said the event isn’t only about sharing in a meal, it’s about celebrating the heart of Prince Albert’s culture of kindness and caring.

During last year’s event, Dorian said they fed around 2,500 people, and he is expecting around the same amount of people again this year. 

“It’s a really good event and it’s a good way to spend Christmas,” he said.

The dinner is on Christmas Day starting at 1 p.m. at the Prince Albert Travelodge and runs until around 5 p.m.

For more information, or to volunteer, you can contact Isabelle Impey at 306-922-3071.

-With files from paNOW’s Sarah Wallace

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