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Christmas Wish List dinner an expression of love and community (13 photos)

Christmas Wish List dinner has become a Bradford tradition at CrossTrainers Ministries

Mike came early for the Christmas Wish List Dinner at the St. Mary’s Hall on Sunday, for clients of A Hand-Up Clothing Room, operated by CrossTrainers Canada Ministries.

He came early, even though his scooter wasn’t able to negotiate the steep stairs that led into the building.

CrossTrainers’ Patti LaRose had to bring out his turkey dinner with all the trimmings and an apple pie, plus the gifts he had wished for, since he was unable to join in the festivities taking place inside.

Mike didn’t complain. “These guys here are fantastic,” he said. “They clothed me, they fed me…. I’ve been so blessed. This makes my day.”

One hundred and twenty people RSVP’d for the dinner – “Which is the most we’ve ever had,” said LaRose – and 172 signed up to be on the Christmas Wish List, an initiative of CT Ministries that tries to grant at least one wish of every client of the Hand-Up Clothing Room.

Those clients ranged in age from infants as young as eight months, to seniors in their seventies. Each was invited to submit three wishes, and the Bradford community was invited to adopt a wish and play Santa.

By the time the dinner was held on Sunday, every client had been adopted. The Bradford Bulldogs hockey teams were “amazing,” adopting several wishes, said LaRose, as were S.W.A.N. (Successful Women Always Networking), Morrison CPA, and many local families.

The food for the turkey dinner was donated by Zehr’s Market and Reali’s No Frills; Starbucks donated the coffee; and Campus North Community Church prepared the food. An army of volunteers helped decorate the large hall downstairs at the St. Mary’s Building and served the dinner, cleared the tables, then handed out the gifts.

Those gifts ranged from cleaning supplies and warm socks, to a lady’s bicycle, each one wrapped, decorated and labelled with the name of the recipient.

“My fave is the Barbie Dreamhouse,” said LaRose – the wish of a little girl for the past several years, finally granted thanks to a generous donor – and the fully-decorated Christmas tree “for someone whose family never had a Christmas tree.”

Plates were piled high with food. There was turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, gravy, cranberry sauce and rolls – and guests were encouraged to ask for seconds, and plates to take home.

It was the first Christmas Wish List Dinner for Becki Leyenaar, Youth Director. “I am so in awe of everything that’s going on,” Leyenaar said, noting that Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some people, facing loss or struggling with difficult situations.

“God gives gifts that are so much greater than these physical things,” she said. “We hope you guys feel love, getting these gifts.”


Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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