Tribute to Harold Newcomb

Editor’s note: Harold Newcomb started the Christmas Friendship Dinner 20 years ago when he received six turkeys. He asked local restaurant owner Bob Bowers to cook them up and serve them at the Wasilla Senior Center. The dinner fed 90 people that first year. In 2011, the event served more than 2,800.

To the editor:

This is a tribute to Harold Newcomb and all who have carried the torch of service. These inadequate words are meant to acknowledge the miracles of the Christmas Friendship Dinner.

We acknowledge the blessing of our freedom to gather and share this meal on this day and the opportunity to be among our growing community of wonderful people. We gather here not by accident or by design, but by the loving and sharing spirit of those who cared so much that they gave of themselves so generously.

Some of us have been present for this event for all of the 20 years, some for the first time this past Christmas. The gracious gifts, donations, hours of volunteer work, beautiful art, wonderful meal and warm friendship has been a miracle growing in Wasilla from a tiny flicker of light offered up by one thoughtful, caring man in 1991.

Harold Newcomb, our dear friend, we are proud to see the way your candle’s flame has become this grand warmth and a bright light unto your fellow man. We are so blessed. You saw how we have grown and you looked out over the room at the smiles, children and those who have cared so much about continuing to carry your light.

The Christmas Friendship Dinner, each and every year, has experienced the blessings of seeing more plates filled, more hearts touched, more spirits consoled. Another generation of our children have seen us at our best on this day.

This past year, the numbers again exceeded our expectations and, as every year, the miracles continue to catch us unaware and cause us to pause and thank God for filling so many needs. So many people and organizations have given of themselves and their goods, and have never sought recognition. They sought only new opportunities to give with great generosity — just like you, our silent friend who never acknowledged his long-lived gift to his community.

We honored Harold Newcomb this past Christmas Friendship Dinner as the man who so graciously lit a flame that now warms so many hearts.

Christmas Friendship

Dinner Committee