Organizers planning Christmas Friendship Dinner

Valley Life editor

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well, thanks to a handful of organizers who, for 13 years now, have made sure every family has a place to go.

The annual Christmas Friendship Dinner is once again being held at Wasilla High School on Dec. 25, marking the 13th year the event has been held in the Valley. Last year, more than 700 people showed up for the dinner and festivities. The event is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"It's very rewarding, but it's very challenging, too," organizer Elsie O'Bryan said. "The neat thing is to see families who have family here, but they still come to the dinner because it's part of their holiday traditions."

At the event, dinner is served, and Santa Claus is there to give toys to children on their way out. Overall, it is a merry atmosphere, and it is open to absolutely anyone.

"You see every geographic, age and economic group represented," O'Bryan said. "Some needs are visible, while others aren't."

Christmas meals are also delivered to homebound individuals who may not be able to get to Wasilla High School. MASCOT, the community transit system, operates a bus on Christmas Day to shuttle people to and from the event as well.

Bob Bowers, who recently retired as the owner of Country Kitchen in Wasilla, pulled the first dinner together 13 years ago. While he is retired from professionally cooking, he'll still be at it this holiday season, cooking for the Christmas Friendship Dinner.

O'Bryan said community groups have been very supportive, including the Rotary club.

Donations are accepted to help support the friendship dinner -- but donations aren't accepted during the dinner itself, because everything is free.

Volunteers are needed from now through the dinner, for a number of different activities. Those wanting to donate can donate a pie or two, a gift for a child (with a $15 spending limit), some wrapping paper or even their time -- all donations are gladly accepted, O'Bryan said.

"We'll be wrapping gifts on the 24th, doing some of the cooking on the 24th, decorating on the 23rd, we need meal drivers, packers, and just about anything else," O'Bryan said.

A group of organizers meets every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Bagels Alaska, on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, and volunteers are encouraged to attend.

For more information, interested people can call Elsie Oliver at 373-3561.