Community Christmas dinner off this year

After having to move to a larger location to accommodate all the guests last year, it appears there will be no Christmas Day dinner on the Westside this year.

Darryl Duhamel, the senior who came up with the idea of putting on the dinner aimed at people who would otherwise be alone at Christmas, moved to Port Alberni earlier in the year.

The person Duhamel hoped would organize the team of volunteers to continue the Westside tradition is not available this Christmas.

A few other people Duhamel contacted were willing to work on the event, but not take it over, leaving the dinner in limbo.

“Being in Part Alberni, there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Duhamel regretfully.

The dinner, held by donation Christmas Day, was well-received and people seemed to enjoy it.

“I appreciate all the help and the donations we've had in the past,” Duhamel said.

Last year’s dinner served close to 100 people at the Westside Senior Citizens’ Activity Centre.

While Duhamel realizes there are a number of dinners in the weeks leading up to Christmas, she said it’s not the same as going to a dinner on Christmas Day, a time when people can feel lonely and isolated.

“I'm extremely sorry that this has happened this year,” she said.

Duhamel is hoping somebody will step up to the plate so the Christmas Day dinner can return in 2019.

“Surely there is someone who's just retired, would like something to do and has the time and energy,” she said.

If you are interested in organizing the Christmas Day dinner for 2019, call Duhamel at 250-448-6599.