Holiday Dinner a Success!

The Holiday Dinner on Christmas Day was a delightful success, thanks to the "A Team", hundreds of volunteers, and many businesses and organizations who all helped this lovely community effort. We delivered 925 meals and giftbags all over the county....in an icestorm!Many folks donated handknit items, from as far away as Florida and Minnesaota even! Women at the Chittenden County Correctional Center crocheted 100 hats for the giftbags. Groups at City Market, senior housing at Fern Hill, and UVM Medical Center wrapped gifts. One stellar volunteer, Dave, wrapped gifts for 67 hours during the season----wow! Many City Market members participated, for over 450 member volunteer hours logged. It's a heartwarming and giving community that we live in.Very special thanks to the "A Team". We just couldn't do it without Doug Davis, Mitzy Foy, Tim and Tina Gibbo, Jess Hyman, Shannon Lane, Mark Larson & Amy Livingston, Chris Moldovan, Maura O'Sullivan, Tim Palmer, Charles Reeves & Holly Cluse, Jeff Solomon and Linda Retchin, and Mara & Spencer Welton! Thank you to the Elks Lodge for letting us store items. And always, thank you to our board: Holly Cluse, Jon Crystal (thank you, Jon, for your time and talent as you move on), Cameron Segal, and Mara Welton.Thank you again for helping us spread love and magic on Christmas to seniors who have been feeling isolated. A thank-you letter we received said "I loved having a hot dinner and giftbag delivered with a smile. It was so much fun to open all of the goodies---it made me feel like a kid! Thank you so much for making the day less lonely."May the New Year bring good health, much laughter, food security for all, and an end to the pandemic.All good things,Megan