Salvation Army Christmas Dinner- 2008

LTH,

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility for men, is holding it's Third annual Christmas Dinner this Friday 12.19.08 and 14-volunteers are needed to assist with plating and serving dinner. The star of the menu is rib-eye roast for 200.

While the kitchen crew is set, volunteers for plating and serving should be there at 4:30pm. I'd like a volunteer head count so please PM or post to the thread if available.

4:30pm start time for volunteers, when arriving at Harbor Light please ask for Captains Nancy or Merrill Powers or Gary Wiviott

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

12.19.08
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."

Salvation Army Christmas Dinner 2006, 2007

Jazzfood, Stagger prep in 2007



2007 Volunteers



Cathy2



Enjoy,
Gary
gwiv@lthforum.com

Hi Gary - I had mentioned earlier to you that I'd like to be there to serve but I have a work meeting that goes until 4:30. I can hop in a cab and be there by about 4:45 depending on traffic if that's not too late and then I can of course help clean up.

Hellodali wrote:if that's not too late and then I can of course help clean up.

Not too late in the least, looking forward to seeing you Friday.

I'll be there at 4:30 (The Wife may be there, too).

I'll get there as close to 10:30 as transportation allows. I should be able to stay for the 2nd shift too this year.

Gary,

I will be there at 4:30. I am not sure who can come from last year's dancer group, but I let them know about it. THAT SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE ANY LTHers from signing up.

FYI, Capt. Powers in the years' past has a cleanup crew already arranged.

I have enjoyed this volunteer opportunity two years running. The gig is quite painless: show up, serve, eat, listen to a Christmas story, maybe sing a carol, leave feeling like I gave a few hours of my time to someone that actually appreciated it.

Merry Christmas to all of you (and those that don't believe... please enjoy the spirit of this greeting meant to be shared with all).

Hi,

I was just able to rearrange my work schedule, so I can help out at 4:30 tomorrow if volunteers are still needed.

Sharon

happy_stomach wrote:I was just able to rearrange my work schedule, so I can help out at 4:30 tomorrow if volunteers are still needed.

Sharon,

Yes, volunteers are still needed, an additional 4-5 volunteers at 4:30 would round out the group.

Glad you could rearrange your schedule, see you at 4:30.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:I was just able to rearrange my work schedule, so I can help out at 4:30 tomorrow if volunteers are still needed.

Sharon,

Yes, volunteers are still needed, an additional 4-5 volunteers at 4:30 would round out the group.

Glad you could rearrange your schedule, see you at 4:30.

Enjoy,
Gary

Abigail, my oldest daughter/attendee at last holiday party, is going to try to leave work early so she can be there around 4:30.

My 3:30 meeting today got cancelled (yay!) so I will be there by 4:30 unless you could use me earlier.

Gary,

I will be there this afternoon... with about six "reindeer".

I am sure Hammond would have a witty quip to describe the phenomenon, but I find it ironic that the ratio of Jews to Christians is actually higher for preparation and serving of the Salvation Army Christmas Dinner, than those attending the Jewish Christmas Eve Dinner. Sorry to bring religion into this… but my peeps need to step up to the plate, so to speak.

pdaane wrote:Gary,

I will be there this afternoon... with about six "reindeer".

I am sure Hammond would have a witty quip to describe the phenomenon, but I find it ironic that the ratio of Jews to Christians is actually higher for preparation and serving of the Salvation Army Christmas Dinner, than those attending the Jewish Christmas Eve Dinner. Sorry to bring religion into this… but my peeps need to step up to the plate, so to speak.

I am not sure but it seems that Jews are more heavily represented on this Forum from the standpoint of participation, organizing, and attending events etc. ( Wiviott, Hammond, & Cathy2 excepted) and while Christmas is a Christian Holiday, it is a time of year when all folks come together to help those in need. But then again, it just might be the guilt Jews feel from all of the Millions of dollars Barbara Streisand has made selling Christmas Albums.

Tommy2dogs wrote:But then again, it just might be the guilt Jews feel from all of the Millions of dollars Barbara Streisand has made selling Christmas Albums.

Nah, we mostly disowned her after Yentl...

Tommy2dogs wrote:I am not sure but it seems that Jews are more heavily represented on this Forum from the standpoint of participation, organizing, and attending events etc. ( Wiviott, Hammond, & Cathy2 excepted)

Tommy,

Hold on one Hebrew National minute here, not only am I Jewish I have the bar mitzvah fountain pens to prove it.

Far as religion, race, personal proclivities of any type the only one that counts on LTHForum is love and appreciation of matters culinary.

Putting on my moderator hat for a moment, I feel compelled to point out LTHForum, as described in the Posting Guidelines, is a religion and politics free zone.

Happy holidays,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

Tommy2dogs wrote:I am not sure but it seems that Jews are more heavily represented on this Forum from the standpoint of participation, organizing, and attending events etc. ( Wiviott, Hammond, & Cathy2 excepted)

Tommy,

Hold on one Hebrew National minute here, not only am I Jewish I have the bar mitzvah fountain pens to prove it.

Far as religion, race, personal proclivities of any type the only one that counts on LTHForum is love and appreciation of matters culinary.

Putting on my moderator hat for a moment, I feel compelled to point out LTHForum, as described in the Posting Guidelines, is a religion and politics free zone.

Happy holidays,
Gary

1. My humble apololgy, I thought I had read an old post about you hosting a Christmas gathering of some sort.
2. Kind of the point I was trying to make.
3. As well it should be. However Pdaane left such a wide opening, I was powerless to not respond.

and a joyous Holiday Season to you and your's
Tommy

LTHForum,

Thanks to all who participated in the Third Annual Salvation Army Christmas Dinner, I heard from Captain Merrill Powers that once again the delicious rib eye roasts were the talk of the facility second only to Captain Nancy Powers Corn Pudding and the friendliness of the volunteer serving staff.

It's joy and honor to be able to work with my fellow LTHers and the Salvation Army, not to mention a heck of a good time. A particular thanks to Peter Daane for once again rounding up volunteers from his dance club.

2008 Volunteers
Vikki, G Wiv, Kristin, Steve Z, HappyStomach, Cathy, Drina, Victoria, Hammond, Carolyn, Dave G, HelloDali, Merrill Powers, Stagger, Jazzfood, Peter Daane, Amy. Not shown, Dave Bigg



Jazzfood, Stagger and myself prepped and tucked 18-rib eye roasts into the oven then headed off to Moon's Sandwich Shop with Merrill Powers to meet up with Steve Z. Merrill had never been to Moon's and was quite taken with both the Jumpball and corned beef.

Merrill Powers, Steve Z at Moon's



Dinner for 180 went off without a hitch, thanks in no small part to professional chef Jazzfood, aka Alan Lake, taking a busman's holiday.

Jazzfood



Not to mention BBQ men Dave Bigg and Steve Z, plus the stylings of former line cook Stagger.

It wasn't all hugs and chocolate pudding though, Stagger and Steve Z got into a minor brouhaha right about the 99th lb of potatoes. (kidding)

Stagger, Steve Z



Carving



Beef, it's whats for dinner




For special occasion meals Merrill and Nancy Powers policy is to provide table service, as opposed to cafeteria line, the residents really seem to enjoy the change of pace.

Vikki (orange), HelloDali, Dave G



Drina



Peter D, HappyStomach, Robert (Merrill and Nancy's son)



Amy (L - Standing), Drina (R - Standing)



Peter Daane, Drina, Dave G, Amy, Victoria, Vikki, Carolyn, Dave Hammond





Captains Nancy and Merrill Powers



Looking forward to next year, happy holidays to all.

Additional pictures may be found --> here

Enjoy,
Gary