Dedicated volunteers serve up community for Christmas dinner year after year in Gilford

GILFORD — In serendipitous fashion, snowflakes filled the air as local residents entered the First United Methodist Church for the annual Christmas dinner, offering a place for people to enjoy a meal in the company of neighbors.

It was indeed a white Christmas. About 120 people, including the hardworking volunteers who helped make the event happen, dined together in what was a larger turnout than last year's total of about 80 patrons.

It was a warm atmosphere full of conversations, hors d’oeuvres and a feast of a ham dinner, all free of charge.

“We had 92 people sign up for the dinner, and at least 20 volunteers, plus we will have some walk-ins,” said Carol Michael, dinner organizer and member of First United Methodist Church.

A half-hour before dinner was served, patrons gathered in a room with couches and a spread of snacks and punch. Many sat on couches chatting, and Wayne Hackett led a couple of Christmas carols to set the mood. His wife, Betty Hackett, and their daughter Dominique and grandson Declan, helped serve appetizers and dinner.

“We are so happy to be a part of this annual meal,” Wayne said. “This helps, having some snacks before the meal, just as long as they don’t eat too much. But I sang a few carols, and had three or four people sing along with me.”

Betty and Wayne are members of United Baptist Church in Lakeport, and have been volunteering at the event for 10 years. This year, they also provided food for before dinner, and start the conversation going.

“Our boys are off and married and that kind of thing, and they have to do the other side of the family,” Betty said. “So, in the meantime I said, ‘Let’s go volunteer.’”

She and her husband have the innate ability to talk to just about anyone, and she said this was a perfect job for them to get people talking to one another. Some show up with friends and family, but others are solo, and could use someone to chat with.

Dominique said so much has changed socially and economically, and events like these can make a word of difference.

“I don’t need to be sitting at home watching television,” Dominque said. “It makes more sense to spend the time brightening people’s spirits and letting them know there are people who do care for them.”

Declan is a 10th grader at Gilford High School who plays for the Belmont-Gilford Bulldogs hockey team. Students need to do community service, and Betty said he is always a go-to guy when recruiting volunteers. Volunteerism is part of the Hackett family’s nature, and Declan loved being able to make someone’s day on Christmas.

“It’s very nice that we get to come over here and help all these people,” Declan said.

Pamella Boutin was with her 11-month-old daughter Ivanya for her first Christmas, and said despite Ivanya shedding a few tears meeting Santa the day before, it was a great holiday season. Boutin said her husband Sergie Ribak, as well as his grandmother, were coming to the event, as well.

“It’s a good way to spend time with the family and the community,” Boutin said.

Keith Henderson of Belmont was enjoying a plate of appetizers before the meal, and reflected on what a gathering like this means.

“Today’s event is very good for the community, and for people of all walks of life,” Henderson said. “People may have lost loved ones, and it is a good way to cope with grief, and come together on Christmas.”

The food for the dinner was provided by the Laconia Rod & Gun Club, and President Harry Bean and members of his family were the chefs. Bean, who is also the chair of the Belknap County Delegation, started off as a volunteer for the event 27 years ago.

“I used to run a restaurant, and all of a sudden, I didn’t have anything to do,” Bean said. “So, I came down and volunteered. And the next thing I know, the guy running the thing asked my name. I said, ‘Harry,’ and he said ‘everyone listen up, Harry’s in charge.'

"And here I am, 27 years later.”

The dinner included ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, carrots, rolls and butter, and a wide array of desserts.

Bean has been a member of the Rod & Gun Club for 50 years, and he said this is an organization that is always up for a good cause. He rounded up some volunteers, including Ron Judd, who has been there for nine years running.

“He and his wife, and a bunch of Rod & Gun members, have come and served it,” Bean said. “My son, Harry IV, and grandson, Harry V, come down and help me cook everything.”

Judd said one nice thing about the event is the collaboration between organizations to ensure people have a place to go for Christmas. Other members of the club helped in the kitchen creating an assembly line, to get dinner done not only quickly, but extremely efficiently.

“We get all the food on the plates, and the church has all their volunteers who do the serving,” Judd said. “It’s been going on long enough now where everyone knows what their job is. They take care of their end; we take care of our end. We don’t even really need to coordinate with each other, because we’ve done it so long.”

One of those volunteers was Sundae Romprey, who agreed, saying they have it down to a science now. She has been a part of the dinner for several years, and said it feels good to be able to give back on Christmas.

Sisters Kelsey and Taylor Maine volunteered at the event, along with their mother, Jen Maine. They said they just moved to Meredith from Campton, and were looking for ways they could help their new community.

“I think this is so wonderful that the church offers such a great event for people to come together, and all sit together in a family-style dinner like this,” Kelsey said.

“We’re really looking forward to chatting with some of the folks,” Taylor added.

Gina and Jean Smith attended the dinner for the first time in a few years. Gina said they ran into some familiar faces, which is always a delight.

“There are all these people from so many different communities,” Gina said. “It’s nice seeing a variety of people we’ve seen over the years back here.”

Bean said the ability to provide a hot meal, in a setting where people can mingle for the holiday, means the world to him.

“Some people don’t have the funding for a meal, but some might not have the company on Christmas Day,” Bean said. “But they’re all together out there, and I know a lot of them. After all these years, you get to know each other.”