More than 300 seniors across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows enjoyed a special Christmas lunch, including a visit from Santa Claus.
The lunch took place at Maple Ridge Alliance Church during the afternoon on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
"We had turkey lunch, so everything, turkey, potatoes, stuffing, carrots, gravy, cranberry sauce, the whole thing," said Joanne Leginus with Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services, who noted the event has been taking place for the last nine years.
The meal was cooked by Vino and his team at the Salvation Army, she said.
Meadow Ridge Rotary bought all the turkeys and brought them to the Salvation Army, and then volunteers stayed to help peel potatoes.
They also helped collect donations for the gift bags that were handed out to each guest at the event.
PetSmart donated stuffed animals.
Volunteers from Meadow Ridge Rotary and Centra Lawyers to help serve the meal and help put the gift bags together.
Entertainment was provided by the Maple Ridge Senior Secondary School choir under the direction of Claire Olivero, who sang all the Christmas classics.
"It has a huge impact on seniors," Leginus said of the annual lunch. "They are so excited and look forward to it."
Some, she said, even arrived 45 minutes early.
"For some of them, it's the only turkey dinner that they get and the only gift that they get," she added noting that, financially, many can't afford a turkey dinner for themselves, and lot of seniors are also alone at this time of the year.
"We had lots of smiles, lots of hugs," continued Leginus, noting how appreciative they were.
And, she added, it's become an event for the seniors, many of them calling ahead of time to double check they are on the guest list.
Transportation was also provided, with many being picked up by volunteer drivers or a fully paid taxi ride.
Even now, there are seniors preparing for next years event.
They knit dish cloths that are put in the gift bags.
"They are absolutely making a difference," said Leginus. "It fills their heart(s)."
