PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Hundreds of volunteers gave up their holiday at home Thursday to make Christmas brighter for folks in need at the Phoenix Convention Center.
More than 2,000 people showed up at the Phoenix Convention Center for the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas event that included a hot turkey meal with all the fixings, presents for kids and compassionate conversation with total strangers.
There was a band playing holiday songs and Santa posing for pictures, but the Christmas party was all about the people and making them feel loved and welcome.
“This right here just given us another reason to smile, to laugh, it’s just beautiful,” said Lisa Helm, a Christmas dinner guest.
For many attendees, the meal provided something they couldn’t afford on their own.
“Without this today, we’d have been sitting around probably trying to figure out what to eat, may have been bologna sandwiches possibly some chips,” said Dorcas Parks, another Christmas dinner guest.
Volunteers find fulfillment in service
The event drew volunteers who found meaning in serving others on Christmas Day.
“It’s such a gift, everybody here they’re family too and just to be able to serve them and give them a meal share their stories people need to talk fellowship as well as food and I go away filled up,” said Susan Grano, a volunteer.
Heidi Skidmore has been volunteering at the event for the past four years with friends from her church.
“My kids weren’t little any more that magic of Christmas morning isn’t quite the same when they got older… the real magic is in seeing all these people get meals they need on Christmas,” said Skidmore.
Families grateful for Christmas meal
Jeremy Urban came to the event with his 68-year-old mother Cynthia. He said there’s no way they could afford a Christmas dinner like this.
“For us, it means everything more than just food reason for the season which is God and being around people that you care about and love and meet new people,” said Urban.
Perhaps no one represented the spirit of Christmas more than 12-year-old Colton Lutostanski of Chandler. The 7th grader was asked what he thinks about volunteering instead of being home opening presents.
“I think it’s way better because at end of the day this is helping out people in need and people that can’t open presents at their own house and we can always do it after,” said Lutostanski.
In addition to the 2,000 meals served at the Convention Center, another 2,300 food plates were delivered around the Valley to folks in need who couldn’t make it to the event.
“We touch them with love and grace and hope that there is a better future for them, ” said Col. Olan Hogan, with the Salvation Army. “We make sure they understand we believe in them.”
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