Salvation Army Christmas Dinner (2007) [Now w/Pictures]

LTH,

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility for men, is holding it's second annual Christmas Dinner this Friday 12.21.07 and 10-volunteers are needed to assist with plating and serving dinner. The star of the menu is rib-eye roast for 200.

Cathy2 (2006)


While the kitchen crew is set, volunteers for plating and serving should be there at 5pm. I'd like a volunteer head count so please PM or post to the thread if available.

5pm start time for volunteers, when arriving at Harbor Light please ask for David Stupay or Amanda Maza.

Please feel free to post to the thread or PM with questions.

12.21.07
Harbor Light
1515 W. Monroe
Chicago, IL
312-421-5753

In Captain Powers of the Salvation Army's own words:
"We have 200 men in residence at any given time. They come from many walks of life, but most are at the point of being completely broken when they enter our doors. The help you are providing for us goes a long way in the lives of these men!

We could definitely use all of the help that you can find to assist with the party. Most of our kitchen staff are also residents, so help with serving will allow them the opportunity to take part in the party and enjoy the food."

Harbor Light Center Christmas Dinner 2006


Enjoy,
Gary

Gary,

I will be there in the morning helping you prep. I will look as lovely and serene as the school lunch lady pictured above.

Sorry I cannot be there to serve, though I am sure others will help.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Sorry I cannot be there to serve, though I am sure others will help.

C2,

Surprisingly, the response for assistance with serving has not been exactly overwhelming.

Enjoy,
Gary

I've been fighting off a cold all week, and I have a flight at 6 am the following morning, but I'll try to get down there to help serve for a couple of hours.

I will be there to help serve. I am trying to round up a few more. Last year's dinner was a perfect opportunity to get in the spirit of the season.

pd

Sent you a PM, but I didn't get a response. Justin and I will be there to serve.

figmolly wrote:Sent you a PM, but I didn't get a response. Justin and I will be there to serve.

Figmolly,

Never received the PM, but am looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at Harbor Light.

Enjoy,
Gary

nr706 wrote:I've been fighting off a cold all week, and I have a flight at 6 am the following morning, but I'll try to get down there to help serve for a couple of hours.

If you are sick, do everyone a favor and stay home!

G Wiv wrote:LTH,

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility for men, is holding it's second annual Christmas Dinner this Friday 12.21.07 and 10-volunteers are needed to assist with plating and serving dinner. The star of the menu is rib-eye roast for 200.

I'm in if you still need volunteers. Will be there at 5:00.

"Tim" wrote:I'm in if you still need volunteers. Will be there at 5:00.

Tim,

Terrific, see you at 5pm.

We could still use a couple more volunteers, thanks.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:5pm start time for volunteers, when arriving at Harbor Light please ask for David Stupay or Amanda Maza.

Volunteers may also simply ask at the entryway desk for the Christmas party and will be directed to the appropriate place.

See you at at 5, looking forward to the party.

Enjoy,
Gary

I had a great time doing this last year and would very much like to do it again. Sadly, my schedule has me working for the next ten days straight , so I'll be unable to help out this time. Best wishes to all.

Gary,

I believe it is me + 3 to help serve.

pd

stevez wrote:

nr706 wrote:I've been fighting off a cold all week, and I have a flight at 6 am the following morning, but I'll try to get down there to help serve for a couple of hours.

If you are sick, do everyone a favor and stay home!

No longer fighting the cold, now into the enduring stage. So I'll accept Steve's sage advice.

I now have me+5 joining for the food service.

LTHForum,

For the second year in a row LTHForum members have assisted, in a small way, with the Salvation Army Harbor Light Christmas dinner. Captain Merrill and Nancy Powers, co directors of the facility, are at the helm of the event.

It was both an honor and a pleasure to assist with the meal and to have friends who are so willing to give of themselves.

The morning started with prepping 12 boneless rib-eye beauties.

Jazzfood, Stagger


We trimmed, lightly scored and hit the rib-eye roasts with a dose of wet rub



Jazzfood, a professional chef of some note, is certainly no prima donna.


Beef in the oven, it was off to Moon's Sandwich Shop for lunch. Jumpball for Jazzfood, eggs and grits for me and a Moon's signature corned beef for Stagger.

Stagger with Moon's Corned Beef Sandwich


Dave Bigg, a BBQ Man of some note, came in at 3 for carving, plating, serving.

Dave Bigg


And moments later Steve Z, carving knife in hand and smile on his face.

Steve Z


Jazzfood, Steve Z, Dave Bigg


Jazzfood, G Wiv, Steve Z


Then the fun really started, first Peter Daane arrived with 6 friends from his dance school, then moments later FigMolly and FigJustin and "Tim." Festooned with Christmas antlers they were set to go.



Figmolly


The men of the Harbor Light Center enjoyed dinner though, as in years past, the hit of the evening was Captain Nancy Powers Baked Corn Pudding

Harbor Light Center Christmas Dinner '07



While the Harbor Light Christmas dinner was held in the gymnasium, the beat still goes on, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here's one of the kitchen staff preparing tasty fried catfish for dinner in the cafeteria. (Yes, I ate a piece, just couldn't resist catfish hot from the fryer)



As a wonderful end cap to the evening we were treated to a rousing talk by Captains Nancy and Merrill Powers, two of the most tireless and nicest people I've ever had the pleasure to meet, and Christmas presents for all.



Thank you to Captain Merrill and Nancy Powers for inviting us to once again participate, looking forward to Christmas dinner 2008.

Captain Merrill Powers


Special thanks to both David Stupay (facilities manager) Amanda Maza (kitchen manager) and also to Jazzfood who cheerfully stayed the course of the day, gently offered the hard won advice of the professional chef and, once again, saved the beef gravy.

A truly wonderful day, all things I love to do, cooking, being in the company of friends, with the added bonus of helping provide a nice meal and moments respite for the men in the Harbor Light program.

Additional pictures may be found here

Enjoy,
Gary