While many people around Marion County were settling in for Christmas dinner in their homes, more than 50 volunteers were busy delivering and serving meals to anyone who needed them Christmas day.
In all, more than 300 meals were served to shut-ins, first responders, those with no family to enjoy the day with or those who simply needed a meal. Volunteers were up before dawn smoking turkeys, cooking hams and preparing a host of other Christmas meal goodies. Calvary Baptist Church served as the base for distribution and serving of the meals and was a beehive of activity Christmas morning.
The Christmas Day Lunch as it was named was the idea of Stacey Cavanaugh and her sister, April Cook. The two had discussed ideas for something to do to help others for Christmas.
“It felt great being able to cook and prepare food for our little town today,” Cavanaugh said. “My heart feels full and joyful knowing that people in our little town got to enjoy a hot home cooked meal. Seeing everyone bring in food and come together on Christmas day as one huge family and serve the people who don’t get to have this has meant the world to me. Today was an awesome day and I can't wait to do it again. I hope everyone stays tuned to the talk because we will do it again.”
Cook said the event brought out the good in the community.
“Sometimes it’s hard to see the good things in our community,” she said. “So many people want to gripe and complain about it. But the last two weeks have really shown what our community is all about. Now, I don’t see how anyone couldn’t see the good in our community. I was so glad to see so many college students coming back and high-schoolers helping. I am so thankful that our church opened its doors so others in the community could serve and be served. I’m so thankful my whole family got to participate. It was a blessing to us.”
Carolyn and Lance Poirier spent the day delivering meals to people across Columbia. Lance Poirier, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was injured in the line of duty, said it was his family’s way of giving back to the community that had given so much to them since he suffered his injuries last spring.
“For our family, it was a blessing,” he said. “To see the smiles and brighten Christmas day was humbling. We all experienced how heartfelt giving feels. The world can be made better if we can all open our hearts and spread love and compassion to others.”
Brandi Perry also volunteered her time Monday and said she enjoyed be a part of it.
“I hope the Christmas Day Lunch becomes an annual event,” she said. “There’s nothing more amazing than helping people in your hometown on Christmas day. It was a humbling and emotional experience and I will definitely look forward to doing it again next year.”
Columbia Mayor Justin McKenzie and his wife, Amy, also delivered meals to a variety of locations, including the East Columbia Apartments on Mississippi Avenue.
“It was a great opportunity to give back to our community and help someone who may not have had the Christmas they had hoped for,” the mayor said. “It was also special spending time with our kids and teaching them about giving back.”
Amy McKenzie agreed.
“It’s important to take care of our neighbors and important to teach our kids that it is more rewarding to give than receive,” she said.
Justin McKenzie said the experience was rewarding to him and the other volunteers.
“It was humbling seeing so many come together for a good cause and to help provide for so many others,” he said.
Pictured Above: More than 50 volunteers helped prepare more than 300 meals for area residents on Christmas day. | Photo by Mark Rogers
