Salvation Army Christmas Dinner - 2009

LTH,

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility for men, is holding it's Fourth annual Christmas Dinner this Friday 12.18.09 and 14-volunteers are needed to assist with prep, plating and serving dinner. The star of the menu is rib-eye roast for 180.

While the early kitchen crew is set, volunteers are needed at 2pm for pre dinner prep and at 4:30 for plating and serving. I'd like a volunteer head count so please PM or post to the thread if available.

Volunteers, when arriving at Harbor Light please ask for Captains Nancy or Merrill Powers or Gary Wiviott

2:00pm for pre dinner prep (Stiring, slicing, schleping, shuffeling)
4:30pm for plating and serving

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

12.18.09
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
2008

Enjoy,
Gary
gary@wiviott.com

You can put me down for the 2:00 shift. Technically, this will be my first LTH event.

i will be there . hope to see terry johnson & chat about bbq

Gary,

This event blew me away last year. I do what I can every year to help with a few of these types of meals, but the skill, energy and cheer that you and your team put into the Salvation Army dinner is extraordinary. Unfortunately, I can't get off work to help schlep during the earlier shift, but I will be there ready and excited to don reindeer ears and plate and serve at 4:30 on Friday.

Sharon

I can join the 4:30 crew as well. See you then.

gary, i'd love to help- but need to wait till later in the week to figure out if i can make it. if you're planning to update the number of volunteers (you need 6 + 6?), then i can figure out if i'm still needed. friday is usually my busiest workday, but the holidays always mess with my regular schedule, so i'm hopeful i can join you in the kitchen. (i'm leaning toward 2pm prep). (just don't expect me to wear a santa hat) thanks, justjoan

I would be more than happy to assist with the 2pm group for pre dinner prep.

My Bride will be taking the car to work and I am planning to head over from Oak Park on the EL. If there is anyone heading out for at that time from the area and would be willing to give me a ride drop me a PM.

Thanks for the chance to help out! Merry Christmas.

LTH,

We are set for the first two shifts, 10am cooking/prep crew of Jazzfood, PhilW and myself, and 2pm pre dinner prep, Dave148, SteveZ, Panther and DRC1379. If the people from the two earlier crews stick around, plus Hellodali and Happy_Stomach, that makes 9 for plating and serving.

We could use an additional 5 or 6 people for plating and serving at 4:30.

Thanks all for the strong response, this is the fourth year of LTHForum participation in the Salvation Army Christmas dinner and an absolutely wonderful event on a number levels.

Enjoy,
Gary

This seems like a great choice for my first LTH event. I will join the 4:30 p.m. shift. See you on Friday.

LTH,

Seems we are pretty well set, though one or two additional for the 4:30 shift would be helpful.

10am:
Jazzfood
PhilW
G Wiv

2pm:
Dave148
Panther
Jazzfood
PhilW
G Wiv
DRC1379
CrazyC

4:30:
Hess
Happy_Stomach
Hellodali
MBH
Dennis
Jazzfood
G Wiv
Phil W
DRC1379
petite_gourmande
Cathy2
CrazyC

I would like to help with the 4:30 shift.

petite_gourmande wrote:I would like to help with the 4:30 shift.

Thanks, see you there.

Hi,

I've always been involved in the early phases of this project. I'd like to come for the serving end. I will be taking the train and muddling my way from the train station to the Salvation Army via CTA.

Unless you already have your last hand already, I plan to be there.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:I'd like to come for the serving end.

C2,

Thats terrific, see you at 4:30.

For those driving, there is a large parking lot just east of the building.

I can be there too! Let me know if you want me there at 2 or at 4:30... either way I can make it...

CrazyC wrote:I can be there too! Let me know if you want me there at 2 or at 4:30... either way I can make it...

Terrific, see you at 2pm.

Hi,

What a lovely way to for the LTH family to share the spirit of Christmas and Hanukkah. Thanks to everyone who helped out, especially Gary and Jazzfood's efforts to coordinate this.

My past interactions with this event was always morning meat preparations. Once the meat was tucked into the ovens to roast, I went back home.

I was glad this year I finally participated in serving the meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, Captain Powers corn pudding, asparagus, cranberry relish, mixed salad, roll and apple pie for dessert. There was so much food delivered, only a few really robust eaters sought seconds.

Katie Powers lead the guests in a lively set of Twelve Days of Christmas. It's rare to hear so many men singing and dancing together.

I'm sure pictures with follow soon and hopefully a video clip, too.

Regards,

had a great time today . thanks to all who helped out .& great to meet some new face's
santa even was there

I am very impressed with the quality of the food, and dedication of the staff and volunteers.

First, the food: The rib eye roast was perfectly seasoned and tender, accompanied by delicious corn pudding, mashed potatoes, asparagus, field greens salad, and apple pie. My understanding is that JazzFood was not happy with the quality of the vegetables last year, and make an arrangements with Whole Foods for quality vegetables, asparagus. Nice! The apple pie was perfectly yummy, nice tart and sweet balance in the fruit, and flaky crust. Overall, delicious feast by any standard.

The guests were most appreciative, enjoyed being served and were most gracious. One man had 4 servings of pie, he only had vision in one eye, but was able to pick out the nicest looking slice on the tray every time. A true pie connoisseur.

The support staff were hard working and diligent. More so than most catering events that I have worked in the past. Wonderful attitude, they made me feel welcome and answered 'all' questions.

As usual, it is wonderful seeing and meeting fellow LTH'ers, especially at heart warming events such as this.

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to be of service.

LTH,

A wonderful event, delicious prime rib dinner fed belly and soul of 175 people, Capitan Nancy Powers Corn Pudding just eking out Jazzfood's Shiitake Mushroom and Asparagus as best dish of the night. LTHForum volunteer turnout was terrific, we comprised the majority of volunteers, very much looking forward to Salvation Arny Christmas 2010.

Capitan Nancy and Merrill Powers and staff do more good in one day than most of us in a lifetime, it is a pleasure to be a small part of the goodness they bring to the community.

Captains Nancy and Merrill Powers



Jazzfood



PhilW, CrazyC, Panther in the Den



Panther, Ada (Salvation Army kitchen manager)



Petite_Gourmande, Happy_Stomach



Alan, Phil, HelloDali



MBH



HelloDali, Hess



DRC1379, Dave148



Nancy Powers, Cathy2, Merrill Powers



Dinner is served to the guests







Additional pictures may be found --->here

Enjoy,
Gary

LTH,

Happy_Stomach dressed as Santa, belly and all. Toward the end of the evening she decided a Santa Belly Bump was in order. Hilarity ensues!!

Santa Belly Bump



Enjoy,
Gary

Thanks for letting me be a part of this, I had a wonderful evening meeting and serving the guests (and LTHer's). These men could not have been nicer or more appreciative of everyone's efforts, one man even said that nothing warmed his heart more than a woman holding a platter of prime rib. I look forward to doing this again.

Ditto from me. As witness to the Santa Belly Bump - a glorious end to a wonderful afternoon/evening.

Let me add my kudos for the LTHers who cooked such a terrific meal to my fellow servers who were a joy to work with and especially to the men at the center who are probably doing harder work than I can imagine. Looking forward to next year (Can I call dibs on the belly bump challenge?)

I had a jolly time. It felt great to be part of collective LTH energy, especially during this holiday season. The scale of this event is impressive, but I was most awed again this year by the thoughtfulness that goes into the preparation of the food and the dining experience of the men at Harbor Light. I could see that the men enjoyed the meal, but they seemed just as grateful to be greeted and served.

Thank you, Gary, for entertaining my penchant for belly bumping (and for not putting me through the wall). As Mhays noted, the sofa cushion I stuffed in the front of my costume probably would have served me better at my rear end, but I'm none the worse for the ill-placed padding. I will fondly remember that belly bump for a long time.

Yours,
Santa