Volunteers needed for 18th holiday meal at Salvation Army

December 20, 2009|By JENNIFER FITCH

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Lynne Newman hasn't been sleeping well as she gets ready for the 18th annual Christmas dinner served at The Salvation Army in Chambersburg.

Newman said her mind is racing through the things that need to be done. She feels, however, her lists and sets of instructions will carry her through, as they always do.

"I just always want people to have a good Christmas," Newman said.

Newman and her synagogue, the Congregation Sons of Israel, work with more than 100 other volunteers every year to prepare, serve and deliver meals. Included are turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

"Even though I'm not Christian, I believe in holidays and I believe in families," Newman said.

Newman said she's concerned about inclement weather affecting the 80 to 120 deliveries to Meals on Wheels clients and shut-ins. She asked that people with four-wheel-drive vehicles consider volunteering by arriving at The Salvation Army on U.S. 30 Friday morning. Deliveries start leaving the facility at 10:30 a.m.

"What I'm also looking for are people who need meals delivered," Newman said, saying she wants to reach people who are not on the lists she has. Requests can be made by calling 717-263-2151.

She also asked for food donations to ensure she doesn't use any food from The Salvation Army pantry. Needs include canned fruit salad, mandarin oranges, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, pineapple and marshmallows.

"The whole point of it is to not use their stuff, and if we have too much, that's great," Newman said, saying extra cans would be given to The Salvation Army.

She expects to serve 600 people from noon to 2 p.m. Each guest will receive a wrapped gift.

"We do everything that day, including wrapping presents," Newman said.

She said a Chambersburg teenager, Tyler Schott, collected hundreds of gifts and $100 in donations. Dilly's prepared turkeys and the mascot from the Chambersburg Cardinals football team will help to serve food.

"Anybody is welcome," Newman said.

How to help

To donate money, food items or to sign up to volunteer for the 18th annual Salvation Army Christmas dinner, call 717-263-2151.

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