Dinner planned for vets, others – Holiday meal may become annual event By Jim Schultz
Posted December 17, 2010 at 11:52 p.m.
A big holiday feast is being planned for those in the military and their families, as well as others who serve selflessly.
And it’s free.
The turkey and ham dinner is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Redding Veterans Memorial Hall on Yuba Street.
The event is offered to those serving in the military, veterans, firefighters, law enforcement personnel, U.S. Forest Service employees and public servants, as well as their widows, widowers and families.
This is the first time the free holiday dinner has been offered, said Charlee Thompson of the Shasta County Veterans Affiliated Council, which is one of three groups helping put on the feast.
Billed as the Serviceman’s Holiday Feast, the dinner is a joint effort between the SCVAC, the Missing In America Project and the Walmart Heart program.
“We wanted to do something nice for the community,” said Jeanne Burroughs of the volunteer Walmart Heart program.
And, she said, the event could possibly turn into an annual holiday tradition.
The dinner also includes a children’s toy drive, and new, unwrapped toys are needed for distribution at the feast.
Those wishing to donate toys may drop off their donation by noon Sunday at Tobacco N Brew, 2143 Hilltop Drive, or Klassique Kafe, 2427 Athens Ave.
Food donations and volunteers, including cooks, are also being sought, and those wishing to do so may
contact Burroughs at 529-8482 or Thompson at 524-1214 or CharleeT@pacbell.net.
Thompson said the three groups already have enough food to serve about 1,500 people, but it’s not sure if that will be enough to serve all those who show up to the event.
“We’re always looking for more,” Burroughs said.
If you go
What: Free turkey and ham dinner for those serving in the military, veterans, firefighters, law enforcement personnel, U.S. Forest Service employees and public servants, as well as their widows, widowers and families.
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Monday
Where: Redding Veterans Memorial Hall on Yuba Street
Help needed: Food donations, volunteers and cooks being sought. Contact Jeanne Burroughs at 529-8482 or Charlee Thompson at 524-1214 or CharleeT@pacbell.net.