Volunteers, donations needed
by Carly Henderson
Whether you’re looking to give back this holiday season, share a meal with others or simply ensure no one in White County spends Christmas Day alone, organizers of the Community Christmas Dinner invite everyone to come together on Dec. 25.
The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day at the Sautee Nacoochee Center. Guests will receive a full Christmas feast, along with access to free items including clothing, toys, household goods and toiletries.
Donations for the event are currently being accepted. Requested items include food, two-liter sodas, bottled water, gallons of tea, new unwrapped toys, dog and cat food, clean and gently used clothing of all sizes, coats and blankets. Toiletries and household goods are also needed. Monetary donations may be dropped off at donation locations or transferred via Zelle or PayPal. Drop-off sites include Mt. Yonah Book Exchange, Meaders Mercantile and Helen Public Library.
Lafaye Murphy and volunteers are offering rides to anyone without transportation as well as food delivery for those unable to attend. Murphy started the Community Christmas Dinner with her family in 2003. The last dinner was held in 2019 before the pandemic and fed between 600-650 people, while 150-200 children received toys. Volunteers also distributed clothes, household items, toiletries and pet food to anyone in need.
During the years when the dinner could not be held, families were sponsored for Christmas and holiday food boxes were distributed.
“There is a bigger need in our community than most people realize. The economy is not good and life is expensive,” said Murphy. “There are many people that don’t have families and are going to be alone. By doing the Christmas dinner, they can come and get a good meal and take home leftovers and it’ll really feel like Christmas is supposed to. Full of joy and love. It’s just something you have to experience to totally understand.”
Volunteers are still needed.
Rib Country BBQ in Cleveland is smoking 45 turkeys for the event, and a smoker will be on site to cook hams. Murphy is seeking volunteers to help set up on Christmas Eve, assist with serving and cleanup on Christmas Day, and bring desserts and side dishes or drop them off beforehand.
“Everybody is welcome to come. Nobody should be alone or hungry on Christmas. Jesus loves us all,” said Murphy.
For more information on the Community Christmas Dinner, contact Lafaye Murphy at 706-326-2895 or via Facebook.