By Debi Yund, Chair of FCCD 2017 to present, Written Dec 23rd, 2019
I am in awe that this annual event continues to live on.
A newcomer to the San Luis Valley ask me today “Who puts on this event?” I replied it is ‘put on’ by the Free Community Christmas Dinner. Their reply was “Who is the Free Community Christmas Dinner”. I went on to explain that we were a 501(c)(3) non-profit, etc, etc, etc. My explanations didn’t seem to satisfy the need they had to know ‘who exactly was in charge’.
This event literally has a life of its own. Directors come and go, volunteers come and go, venues come and go, and yet each and every year since 1990 (so I’m told), there has been a FREE Community Christmas Dinner held in Alamosa, CO.
So when you doubt that ONE person can make a difference, you best think again. Ann Edstrom Watters was the founder of this annual event. It was her dream, ‘That no one should be alone on Christmas Day’. I would have liked to have been a mouse in the corner during the prep of that first event. I wonder how that startup conversation went? Who did she encourage to help her? How many attended that first, second, third….event? History has a way of disappearing when our elders die as their stories are buried with them.
Although our founder passed away in April 2009, her legacy continues through the dedication of new volunteers that continue to step up to serve when others can’t. I’m told that ‘God puts us where he wants us at the time’. I guessing that being chair of this committee was where he ‘placed me’ upon the untimely, tragic death of our beloved Patricia Lucero.
Life goes on……and through the generous donations & efforts of our many volunteers living in our San Luis Valley communities, so will this annual Free Community Christmas Dinner. On Christmas Day this year, over 100 volunteers will come together to coordinate a sit-down turkey dinner with all the fixings.
Families will gather while listening to Christmas music to watch the excitement on the faces of their children as they visit Santa and select a present from the many gifts that have been provided by the Marine Corps Reserve/Toys for Tots. This will be the first year that this organization has participated in our event and we are extremely grateful for their gracious toy donations!
Roughly 1000 individuals will be fed during our 2019 event. This number will include the delivery of roughly 200 meals to our homebound residents living in or near Alamosa.
So, if you are also wondering ‘Who’s in charge of this annual event”?
The answer is very simple, you are.
Free Community Christmas Dinner 