Warmth and Fun Mark the 2025 Christmas Friendship Dinner

While Christmas 2025 has come and gone, the warmth, hospitality, and fun of the annual Christmas Friendship Dinner (CFD) continues to fill the hearts of the volunteers and people who enjoyed the meal.

The Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla set a festive tone with holiday decorations, music, performers, and the smiling faces of the volunteers and guests alike, creating an uplifting and welcoming mood for everyone who came out.

Available to each and every person in the community, regardless of need, the meal had all the fixings. Along with serving a traditional Christmas Dinner with all the fixings and dessert to thousands of people, CFD volunteers, dressed as Santa’s elves, handed out gift bags to everyone who attended the dinner. There were games and face painting for the families, and smiles and conversation for the grown-ups. And of course, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. There were also reports of the Grinch sneaking in and taking part in the festivities.

There was also a moment of somber remembrance as Colors were rendered, as well as the POW/MIA table set for those servicemembers still missing and unable to share in a holiday meal.

For people who were homebound, they were not forgotten as meals were delivered to them, along with board games to home delivery families with children.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the hundreds of volunteers pitching in, prepping the food, decorating the dozens of trees, cooking, and yes, even cleaning up afterwards.

“The 2025 Christmas Friendship Dinner was a huge success!” the CFD wrote on their social media page. “This year we had over 300 volunteers. We would not be able to put this dinner on without all of you and the countless hours you put in. “We are blessed to be in a community where so many people spend their free time loving on those who need it. The CFD board is grateful for all of you volunteers! Thank you! We will see you again next year!”