The Christmas Friendship Dinner was a huge success!

I sit here in amazement at what a wonderful event it was that just took place. The Christmas Friendship Dinner held in Wasilla, Alaska is truly unique. I've never seen an event of this size headed up by a group of caring citizens, and not a major organization. They all know what needs to happen, and they get it done. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with members of this group that have been doing this for years. I want to say this to them, and to anyone reading this so you all will know, that this is what makes our community so wonderfully special. I send blessings to all my local friends, and to all those whom I've met through the internet this year. Below is a copy of an article from The Frontiersman,our local valley newspaper. My only comment would be that the writer is not quite correct - our celebration was not about Sarah as he said, but it's not about Santa either, as the article suggests. The celebration of CHRISTmas is about CHRIST. After all, he is the reason for the season! Please take the opportunity to look over these photos, as well as the attached article. God bless everyone, and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Friendship Dinner dubbed 'best ever'

BY GREG JOHNSON
Frontiersman
Published on Friday, December 25, 2009 3:34 PM AKST
WASILLA — Not even Sarah Palin could upstage Santa Claus.

As the former vice-presidential candidate served up mashed potatoes and turkey to a long line of hungry visitors, Santa was still wide awake after pulling an all-nighter delivering gifts around the world. Both were all smiles as they chatted with and served up food and presents to hundreds at the 18th annual Christmas Friendship Dinner at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

“No, no, no, not tired at all,” Santa said. “All that cocoa last night, and with all the cookies and chocolate, I’m wide awake.”

While Palin has been making national headlines since the release of her best-selling memoir, “Going Rogue,” there were no mobs of well-wishers, protesters or media. Many of the attendees were glad to see her and husband Todd participating in a hometown event, but said, at least on Christmas, Santa was the No. 1 celebrity at the sports center on Christmas.

“The food is good, the people are good and it’s good to see people you haven’t seen in while,” said Glen Butts. “And, of course, we have Sarah here. ... (But) I’d have to say Santa is the bigger celebrity. He’s going non-partisan, so I’d have to go with him.”

Lt. Micah Weinstein of the Wasilla Police Department reserves agreed. “Sarah’s a great lady, but Santa’s Santa.”

Behind the scenes, Bob Bowers has helped organize and cook for the Christmas Friendship Dinner since its inception. That first year, the dinner served 64 people at the Wasilla Senior Center. Last year, an estimated 1,500-1,700 was fed at Wasilla High School, and this year Bowers was prepared for 2,000 people at the sports center, as the event had outgrown the high school.

After 18 years of peeling potatoes and cooking in cramped, hot kitchens, is Bowers ready to pass on his apron?

“Heck, are you kidding?” he said. “I look forward to this day. This is the happiest day of my life when I get down here.”

This year, Bowers and a small army of volunteers helped cook and serve 63 turkeys, 60 hams, 600 pounds of potatoes, 50 gallons of gravy, 80 pounds of butter, dozens of large cans of beans and corn, and 600 pounds of carrots.

With more space and the kitchen facilities at the sports center, “This is the best year we’ve ever had,” Bowers said. “At the high school, they had to cook the potatoes out in front of the high school, and then they had to wheel them all the way back to the kitchen, mash them up, then haul them right back to where they cooked them. It took us all day.”

The Cowles family traveled from Indian with 7-year-old daughter Tilly for the dinner and passed the time playing Uno while waiting to help clean up.

“It feels like family,” Roger Cowles said about why his family has attended the past four Christmas events. “My folks live here and they peel potatoes and carrots. Last year, we came a day early and helped. This year we’re on the clean-up crew.”

While Tilly played Uno with her parents — “I lost the last hand,” her father said. “I was, like, hundreds in the hole” — her brothers were outside playing with a new toy they received at the sports center.

“We wouldn’t let them bring a football,” Roger Cowles said. “We said, ‘No, it’s going to be indoors.’ So, the gift they got from the giveaway over there was a football.”

Ashley Mills was one volunteer helping hand out presents to children at the dinner. All the gifts were donated, she said, then wrapped and labeled so each child would get a gift appropriate to his or her age and gender.

“It just makes me so happy to see them so happy about getting a present,” she said.

From youngsters visiting Santa one last time to seniors finding some companionship on Christmas, the friendship dinner was the place to be.

Barbara Rice lives at the Wasilla Senior Center and raved about the pecan pie.

“That pie, I’m not kidding you, is just delicious,” she said.

She also had warm thoughts for the local Santa Cop program, which payed her a visit earlier on Christmas.

“I didn’t even know about them,” she said of the Santa Cops. “They came in and said, ‘Are you Barbara Rice?’ And I said, ‘I am.” And he said, ‘We’re the Santa Cops and we’re here to see you.’”

She received a $100 gift certificate and several other wrapped gifts, Rice said.

“I was shocked a just the (amount of the) gift certificate, and I still have the gifts to look at too,” she said.

Kurt Karmer took a break from volunteering in the kitchen to enjoy Christmas dinner with his family. After three days of cooking to prepare, he proclaimed “everything” was the best on the menu.

“I just like bringing a little Christmas cheer to people, that’s all,” he said. “It’s been really good. The volunteers are great and (the facility) is beautiful.”

Sierra Hannan is a Christmas Friendship Dinner veteran. Attending since she was a girl, Hannan now brings her own children.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” she said. “It helps out the community, and it’s not just for poor people, it’s for everybody.”

Bowers said he gets more out of volunteering to make the dinner happen than he puts into it, but what really made him choke up was seeing the community fill the sports center.

“This is the gospel-honest truth,” Bowers said. “I have walked out there three times today, and all three times I had to come back because I had tears in my eyes. I was so happy and so overwhelmed with what I saw, it just makes my Christmas.”

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Please enjoy my own personal photos below.


My daughter Cassie getting organized before the event


The table full of presents from Santa!


My sons Nick and Josh helping set up the Nativity


This is Kurt, who was mentioned in the Frontiersman article above


Some of our delivery crew. We were meals on wheels for today, and we had meals that were delivered to those who could not come to us.


We had volunteer firefighters helping out with meal delivery


We even had sugar free desserts


Kevin was awesome on the carrot shredder!


Some of our door greeters


Bob, on the right in the green apron, is an extraordinary cook and has been with the dinner all 18 years


One of our elves - isn't she cute?


Chuck Heath (center) with Angelina and LindaJo Klapperich


We had plenty of rolls - thanks to all who donated!


We had a nice selection of hot and cold vegetables


Servers with spoons up - at the ready!



People getting their plates filled


We had lots of great young people volunteering, and whole families


There were also servicemembers, young and old alike


Sally Heath talking to Chris, another great volunteer


My daughter Cassie and son Josh, taking a break to eat


Sonja and Gregory, who were running the first aid table


Our honor table, for those who have fallen or were not able to be there as they had in years past


We had a great turnout


This little girl was very happy with her Santa gifts


This young dad was very happy to receive a toy for his child. They dropped down right there on the floor in front of Santa to open it. They were all smiles!


We had some great families who provided sing-a-long entertainment


An overhead view of some people going through the food line

Many of you who follow my blog regularly found me through Twitter or Facebook or through some of the Sarah Palin websites. We were blessed today when Sarah Palin and her family came and devoted time to volunteering at the Christmas Dinner. Sarah and Todd, her kids, her brother and sisters, their children, and her mom and dad were all in attendance. Sarah came in and of course, there was immediate excitement. Sarah was gracious enough to sign a few items. I was working as the volunteer coordinator, and she told me she really wanted to serve so we set her up with Angie and she put her to work on the serving line. Everyone was very excited to see her, and for some it made this Christmas Day even that much more special. Sarah has a servant's heart and I know this is what makes her day as well. Sarah is her mother's daughter, and it was her mother who originally asked me to get involved. Chuck Jr. was so proud that his boys were able to participate and they all had a great time. Sarah's sisters and their families were also involved. Here are some photos from that part of the event:


Sarah's brother Chuck Heath Jr with his boys Kier and Teko. They were a big help!


Sarah arrived. You can see Piper and Willow in the left side of the picture


Sarah signed a few books and calendars





The head of the serving line, Angie, gave Sarah and Todd gloves and aprons and put them to work!


Todd and Sarah enjoyed serving










This special young man was excited to see Sarah, as were many

If you enjoyed this post, you can follow my blog at Finding Myself In Alaska.

A Wasilla Christmas: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

Christmastime is my favorite time of year, and while it is a little more than a month away, I am already excited. I love traveling to the nearest Christmas tree farm and picking out the perfect tree, which last year topped 14ft and barely missed the ceiling. Yes, San Diego DOES have a live Christmas Tree farm where we go, pick and cut our tree. My family would tell you that I am a Christmas fanatic. They would also tell you that I am like those women on those Christmas movies who always seek to have the perfect Christmas. I love doing all the fun stuff that comes with Christmas. Things like shopping, baking, decorating the house and picking out and trimming the perfect tree, but it is important to remember Christmas is not about all this stuff; it's about Jesus. My family and I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, which is what Christmas is truly all about. He IS the reason for the season. While having the perfect Christmas is special, it is even more important to celebrate the birth of Christ who has saved me. While I am able to celebrate the real meaning of the season surrounded by family and friends, there are many among us who are not as fortunate. My good friend, Tracey Porreca has written a fantastic blog post about what the city of Wasilla, Alaska, does every year to help Alaskans in need.


I encourage you all to visit her fabulous blog and follow her on Twitter . As an Alaskan, Tracey personally knows Alaska and the people who live there. She is also a great supporter of Sarah and her family. I have included her piece below about a great cause I hope you will support. I encourage you to join me in supporting Wasilla and the honorable volunteers who spend their Christmas Day helping out. Together, we can help those who less fortunate celebrate Christmas with memories that will last them a lifetime. Please read this and pass it along:


"Sarah Palin's Hometown: A Christmas Dinner Request"

I love living in Wasilla, Alaska. It reminds me of the small farming community where I grew up in Ohio. I recently was approached by Sarah Palin's mother, Sally Heath, and her friend Carol Ryan, and asked to become involved with a group they have been involved with in recent years, the Christmas Friendship Dinner. Sarah Palin and her family have given their time in past years as volunteers and I know Sarah's mom will be there with myself and many others on Christmas Day to provide a meal and fellowship to people of the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley who have nowhere else to go, or just want to be with others on Christmas Day. Last year because of her run for Vice President and Secret Service concerns, Sarah was not able to serve, but did come to show her support. Please check out this article from The Frontiersman, our local paper, and the 2007 Christmas Dinner after Sarah was elected Governor of Alaska for information about her serving:

SEASON'S EATINGS
By Greg Johnson
Frontiersman
Published on Thursday, December 27, 2007 9:57 PM AKST

WASILLA - Gov. Sarah Palin really does serve the people, and has the apron and spoon to prove it.

The governor made a surprise visit at Tuesday's annual Christmas Day Dinner at Wasilla High School, and it wasn't long before she was behind the steam tables serving up helpings of mashed potatoes and dressing.

"Isn't this cool?" the governor said about the community feed, which drew more than 1,000 people to WHS this year. "What's neat about this is those folks who've been here doing this for 16 years."

Daniel Brown, Palin's serving buddy on the line, was nearly giddy over the unexpected gift he received from the governor.

"She said I was her new best friend," Brown said.

Palin and Brown were part of the estimated 200 volunteers who helped make the 2007 Christmas Day Dinner another success, said Bob Bowers, who has been and organizer of the event since its inception. About 1,200 attended last year's event and more than 1,000 were fed Tuesday. An actual count wasn't immediately available.

For Bowers, the community gathering in a central location to eat, sing, visit Santa Claus and be neighborly embodies the spirit of the holiday.

"This is just fantastic, just like it is every year," he said. "We've got doctors, lawyers, businessmen, community folk all together. Even Sarah [Palin] showed up this year. Wow."

Enjoying the food and playing with other kids was Clarissa Coon, 7, who was excited to talk about her Christmas experience.

"We opened up our presents," she said. "My daddy's friend [came over] and I showed them what I got, and that I made a leaf thing for my daddy."

Hannah Clark, 11, spent much of the time with her family and taking turns singing Christmas carols. She also complimented whoever donated the brownies on the dessert line.

"I love their brownies," she said. "They are the best. I think this is all really, really great. I like to sing and they let kids sing.

"Santa Claus himself was one of those enjoying listening to Coon and others sharing the microphone singing holiday tunes. Fresh off making his around-the-world trip, Santa was still lively and spry, visiting with children, who each left with a free photograph with the Jolly Old Elf.

Many of the kids asked Santa if he were tired after being up all night delivering toys, he said.

"I love it," said Santa, aka Leroy Hawn, about the Christmas Day Dinner. "I look forward to it every year."

All the food, decorations and help is donated, Bowers said, adding that there was no reason for anyone to leave the feast hungry and many took home leftovers. Overall, volunteers donated and cooked up:

. 43 turkeys,

. 23 hams,

. 400 pounds of potatoes,

. 120 large cans of yams,

. 300 pounds of bread, which was.
dried and made into dressing,

. 140 large cans of cranberries,

. about 150 gallons of gravy,

. more than 1,000 rolls,

. and hundreds of donated pies and
desserts.

The dinner has grown since its first year, when it drew 64 people to the Wasilla Senior Center, Bowers said. For several years, he also made all the rolls himself, but the dinner has grown so much he can't make them all from scratch anymore.

In addition to the hundreds who file into the Wasilla High School gymnasium, volunteer drivers also take meals to the home bound, Bowers said.

Area seniors really appreciate having a place to go on Christmas or seeing a smiling face bringing dinner to them, said Jeanne Gardner, a resident at the Wasilla Senior Center.

"This is the first time I've been here and it was great," she said. "I got to see people I haven't seen in months. I see a lot of seniors out today, and it's good for them."

Roger Hughes said the food was "wonderful," and enjoyed the social atmosphere."

I see people I haven't seen for years," he said, adding the effort reflects positively on Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley. "It says we're together and this is a loving, caring, giving community. It's uplifting."

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2268


Tracey writes:

"The story behind this dinner tradition is really touching. Some 18 years ago, a group of friends in a Wasilla Lions Club had received some donated turkeys and decided to put together a dinner for the community. Their modest start of serving about 25 people has developed into an annual event that is estimated to serve over 1800 this year, including delivery of meals to home bound folks over a broad area of the core of the Mat-Su Valley.

The meal is open to all regardless of age, beliefs or type of need (some people have physical or financial needs and other have spiritual or emotional needs) to gather in a welcoming atmosphere to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This is NOT a holiday dinner - it is a CHRISTmas dinner.

There is absolutely no charge for the dinner. We serve on Christmas Day from 11:00-3:00. In early years the event was held at the Wasilla Senior Center, and then at Wasilla High School. Because of the resounding success of the event, the 2009 dinner has been moved to the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

As you might imagine, staging an event of this magnitude takes a lot of people, and a lot of resources (or money). I write to you because we need your help. Everything has a cost associated with it from the building we are in, to the food, to the plates and cups, down to security and housekeeping services. Over the years many different people have helped in many different ways and we have been blessed to have had financial, time and/or in-kind contributions from individuals, corporations, governmental entities, churches, non-profits and small businesses. Currently we are working hard to meet the increased costs of this year's dinner. The need is great, especially this year, and gifts of money for the purchase of food and other supplies is greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent to the following address:

Christmas Friendship Dinner
PO Box 870845
Wasilla, AK 99687

PLEASE NOTE: If you need a tax donation receipt, please contact me directly via my email at va2ak2005@yahoo.com and I will give you instructions on how and where to send those donations. Only email me if you need a receipt. Otherwise, use the address above.

Any amount would be appreciated. We thank you so, so much and I will make sure to include a copy of any article that may be published again this year about the event. God Bless!"



Will you join me and help Tracey and the other Christmas Friendship Dinner volunteers? If you live near Wasilla, volunteer your time. Outside Alaska, join me in helping to fund this event by sending in a donation. Let's make this year's Christmas Friendship Dinner the most memorable yet for the attendees and their families!!! After all, Christmas is about Jesus and helping out those in need!!!


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