Planning for the Barriere and Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual community Christmas dinner on Dec. 25 is well underway. However, organizer (and Chamber office manager) Lianne Hamblin is hoping for more volunteers to come forward.
“We need about 24 people for delivery,” she explains. “They must go in pairs. And we could really use some servers as well this year.”
The dinner is held at the Barriere Lions Hall, but the turkeys will be cooked at various locations, since more people have registered for dinner this year than ever before. “The meals are absolutely free, whether delivered to a residence or for sit-down service at the Lions hall,” says Hamblin. “This is just our way of giving back to the community.”
To register for the dinner — either to be delivered or to attend — call the Barriere Chamber of Commerce at 250-672-9221 or email bcoc@telus.net. Leave your name and phone number, say whether you would like your meal delivered or will be attending in-person, and leave your address if you want it delivered.
“Once you register, all you have to do is wait for Christmas Day,” says Hamblin. “It’s super easy, and we will be thrilled to serve our guests or deliver to them.”
Deliveries have gone from Barriere as far north as Little Fort, and can be arranged as far south as Heffley or even Westsyde Road and points in between.
Hamblin says volunteers are “prepared to cook as many dinners as we need to for everyone, including families, individuals and people who can’t be with their families this year.” She emphasizes that even if you are outside the 10 kilometre delivery range, they will “figure something out” to accommodate you and yours.
Hamblin stresses that the dinner is for everyone.
“If you are a family of five or more, or less, please call us. If you are living in your RV: call us! If you just would like a traditional Christmas dinner, we hope you will call. No matter what the circumstance is, we would love to make dinner for you. You can come and dine with us at the Barriere Lions Hall or, you can have your dinner delivered to your door.”
Hamblin wants to thank all the community sponsors. The list includes the District of Barriere, Barriere and District Food Bank, Barriere Chamber of Commerce, Barriere Lions Club, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Armour Mountain Bookkeeping and the PrintRoom, Barriere IDA, and Barriere Laundromat.
Organizers ask that you call or email as soon as possible for planning and preparation purposes, and they are looking forward to seeing you on Christmas Day.
