December 21, 2016 at 1:35 p.m.
Lions to host annual Christmas Not Alone Dinner
Lions to host annual Christmas Not Alone Dinner
By Kayla Thomason-
The meal will consist of turkey, vegetables; homemade potatoes, gravy, cookies and pies.
There will be a donation can out for anyone who would like to make a contribution, but the meal is free.
"I think the Lions put a lot of - not only perspiration - but a lot of love into presenting (the dinner)," Don Frederickson, the club's public relations director said. "Along with the volunteers, they all bring a lot of love down to that hall and share, and the people that come in and have a meal bring a lot of love with them too."
Frederickson estimated that nearly 200 people attend the annual dinner and on average 25 turkeys are cooked to feed the masses.
"We have an outpouring of business people, we have other clubs come in and help us and volunteers come in," he said.
On Christmas Eve volunteers and Lions decorate the hall, peel potatoes, set up the tables and chairs, and get everything ready for the following day's feast.
Frederickson said everyone's assistance is a blessing.
"I can't tell you how wonderful people have been to come in and support the other people in the community that come in to have a meal," he said.
Christmas Not Alone started in 1986 and was originally sponsored by the Hodag Lions Club. When that club disbanded the Rhinelander Lions Club picked it up.
"The original premise of the Christmas Not Alone came from one of the members who noted that there were no restaurants open on Christmas Day and people didn't have a place to go eat," Frederickson said. "It was to be a place where people could gather and reminisce and meet old friends and dine with them and that's what has happened over the years."
Frederickson has fond memories of the event and remembers years back when an elderly woman would come in and recite a poem that her parents had taught her when she was a child.
"I'm very, very fortunate," he said. "I'm going to be 81 years old the day after Christmas and of all the things I've done in my life I'm so proud of being involved in the Christmas Not Alone Dinner, the little bit that I do."
Those who would like to attend but need a ride are in luck. Rapid Cab Co. will be providing free transportation to those who need a ride to and from the dinner. Rapid Cab may be reached at (715) 365-7433.
To sign up for the dinner or to volunteer, visit www.SignUpGenius.com/10CO549AFA0FA5-christmas/1952380.
For home delivery, call (715) 282-5904, (715) 490-1899 or (715) 362-6534 before Dec. 24.
Those wishing to make a donation to the Rhinelander Lions Club for the annual Christmas Not Alone Dinner can mail it to Rhinelander Lions Club, P.O. Box 1005, Rhinelander, WI 54501.
"The Lions should be proud of the community, and the community should be very proud of the Lions that have participated with this endeavor over the years," Frederickson said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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