BU gives Christmas dinner a helping hand

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This article was published 15/11/2023 (1086 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This year’s Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner is getting some helping hands courtesy of Brandon University.

Dinner organizers launched the annual campaign in front of the Keystone Centre’s MNP Hall on Tuesday, announcing that food services staff at the university’s Harvest Hall would not only be helping assemble thousands of portions of Christmas dinner but also operating their kitchen as a secondary base of operations.

The dinner has operated since 1985, providing food and fellowship to anyone who wants to come under the slogan “no one should be alone at Christmas.”

It was first created by Rocky Addison, and the event has been maintained in his memory after his death in 1998.

J.D. Braid, the university’s manager of food services, said the dinner was one of the first things he remembers hearing about when he first moved to Brandon about 20 years ago.

He said he volunteered with the dinner between 2007 and 2012, before moving on to employment opportunities in other parts of the country.

“I’m back again and wanting to help this community that helped me personally and professionally for so many years,” Braid said. “Working with Brandon University, one of our values is to be community-minded. So being able to share that value with the community, work with different people in the community and give back is very important to me.”

Attendance at last year’s dinner was likely suppressed due to a Christmas Day snowstorm, said the dinner’s media relations director, Frank McGwire.

In 2022, about 2,800 meals were served either at the Keystone Centre or delivered to people who couldn’t attend in person. This year, McGwire said he believes that number will likely exceed 3,000 and approach 4,000. Some prior years have seen as many as 4,300 meals served.

“That’s what we’re planning for in all the preparations with the turkeys and everything,” McGwire said. “We’re getting those all rounded up. We have the facilities to prep them and cook them.”

He said many hands make for light work, and he can’t thank university staff enough for stepping up this year, as well as other sponsors like Sunrise Credit Union, Bell Media and the Murray family of auto dealers.

Last year, the dinner returned to the Keystone after being held at other venues for several years. McGwire said the Keystone is a great place to hold the dinner because of its central location and having kitchens on-site.

As in previous years, McGwire said, the event will be partnering with Brandon Transit to offer hourly service on Christmas Day to help people get to and from the Keystone Centre.

As organizers prepare for this year’s dinner, volunteers are being sought to help cook and deliver meals. McGwire said he’s also hoping people will come forward to provide entertainment for diners, whether it’s singing, playing instruments or even performing stand-up comedy.

From Nov. 17 through 19, Nov. 24 to 26, Dec. 2 and 3, and Dec. 9 and 10, volunteers from the dinner will set up a table at the entrance to the Corral Centre Walmart to collect donations of unwrapped toys, cash and food.

On Dec. 2, Harvest Hall will host the dinner’s annual fundraising breakfast where visitors are encouraged to bring donations of unwrapped toys and cash in exchange for a hot meal.

McGwire said organizers need unwrapped toys so they can make sure that they are received by kids who will most appreciate them.

To volunteer for the event or keep an eye on any announcements made by organizers, visit the dinner’s social media pages or its website at traditionalchristmasdinner.ca.

Also present at the launch were Mayor Jeff Fawcett, Coun. Bruce Luebke (Ward 6) — who is also chair of the Keystone’s board of directors — and representatives from the event’s sponsors.

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