- 注册
- 2002-10-07
- 消息
- 402,225
- 荣誉分数
- 76
- 声望点数
- 0
At the Carleton Tavern, on Christmas Day, it’s about being together.
A free meal at the watering hole at the corner of Parkdale Avenue and Armstrong Street isn’t about charity, it’s about community.
“It’s everybody, from every walk of life,” said organizer Cheryl Parrott.
Now in its 16th year, the Christmas Day dinner at the Carleton began when owner Sam Saikaley approached Parrott about cooking a meal for anyone who couldn’t afford a Christmas meal. Saikaley was willing to give up the tavern’s only day off all year. He spent much of Saturday in the kitchen and when the Citizen popped in, he winked and said he wasn’t the right person to talk to.
“Go talk to Cheryl,” he said with a smile.
After the first year, organizers soon realized the social needs of their community far outweighed the economic need.
“It’s the loneliest day of the the year,” Parrott said, holding back tears.
Together, organizers have managed to make a free meal much more, with live music, hundreds of hours of donated time and the gift of people.
Elaine was sitting at a table, wearing a red scarf, candy cane earrings and a Christmas tree brooch. She described herself as a “Christmas orphan” who has lost many people in her life this year. She didn’t want to be alone and, since she lives in the neighbourhood, decided to come to the Carleton.
“It’s like a haven here,” she said.
The lead-up to the event is a lot of work, Parrott says. But organizers don’t need to cry for volunteers anymore. The offers, this time of year, just pour in.
The Carleton cooked 33 turkeys to feed between 500 and 600 people. The birds, hams, tourtieres and desserts were all donated. Local restaurants and shops that were going to be closed over the holiday also donated food that would otherwise perish. Organizers also bought some food with donated money.
The City of Ottawa has even donated 10 green bins and comes to pick them up on Boxing Day. The thank-yous Parrott hears is “what makes it all worth it,” she said as the lunch rush was coming in. The Carleton had already delivered half of the hot meals they’d be taking to people’s homes, bringing the Christmas spirit to those who couldn’t make it to the tavern.
When someone is done their meal, an “elf” asks them what they would like for Christmas, the elf then texts the request up to the Carleton’s workshop, where volunteers work to find a suitable gift. A runner then brings the one of the donated gifts downstairs where the elf can deliver it to the patron.
When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Parrott said she already had her Christmas wish.
“This day really is what Christmas is about for many of us.”
Dwight Dorey and Jody Thompson are regulars at the Carleton. Thompson remembers the very first Christmas meal served when there were about only five of them in the kitchen. Over time, local musicians offered to come play. Even Santa (who had a striking resemblance to a retired Hintonburg community police officer) showed up, accompanied by Mrs. Claus.
“I’ve now spent more Christmases in this place than I have anywhere in my life,” Thompson said.
“I think there is just all kind of families,” Thompson said. “And this is one of them.”
Noel Langlois gets a visit from Santa Claus during the 16th annual Christmas dinner at the Carleton Pub in Ottawa on Christmas Day, Darren Brown / Postmedia
Volunteers work to hand out a holiday meal during the 16th annual Christmas dinner at the Carleton Pub. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
Santa and Mrs. Claus help Connie Li, who’ll turn 90 in January, into her car during the 16th annual Christmas dinner at the Carleton Pub. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
Volunteer Dick Cooper, right, spoons out a holiday meal. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
Santa and Mrs. Claus greet those coming out to share a meal at the Carleton Pub in Ottawa on Sunday. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
syogaretnam@postmedia.com
twitter.com/shaaminiwhy
查看原文...
A free meal at the watering hole at the corner of Parkdale Avenue and Armstrong Street isn’t about charity, it’s about community.
“It’s everybody, from every walk of life,” said organizer Cheryl Parrott.
Now in its 16th year, the Christmas Day dinner at the Carleton began when owner Sam Saikaley approached Parrott about cooking a meal for anyone who couldn’t afford a Christmas meal. Saikaley was willing to give up the tavern’s only day off all year. He spent much of Saturday in the kitchen and when the Citizen popped in, he winked and said he wasn’t the right person to talk to.
“Go talk to Cheryl,” he said with a smile.
After the first year, organizers soon realized the social needs of their community far outweighed the economic need.
“It’s the loneliest day of the the year,” Parrott said, holding back tears.
Together, organizers have managed to make a free meal much more, with live music, hundreds of hours of donated time and the gift of people.
Elaine was sitting at a table, wearing a red scarf, candy cane earrings and a Christmas tree brooch. She described herself as a “Christmas orphan” who has lost many people in her life this year. She didn’t want to be alone and, since she lives in the neighbourhood, decided to come to the Carleton.
“It’s like a haven here,” she said.
The lead-up to the event is a lot of work, Parrott says. But organizers don’t need to cry for volunteers anymore. The offers, this time of year, just pour in.
The Carleton cooked 33 turkeys to feed between 500 and 600 people. The birds, hams, tourtieres and desserts were all donated. Local restaurants and shops that were going to be closed over the holiday also donated food that would otherwise perish. Organizers also bought some food with donated money.
The City of Ottawa has even donated 10 green bins and comes to pick them up on Boxing Day. The thank-yous Parrott hears is “what makes it all worth it,” she said as the lunch rush was coming in. The Carleton had already delivered half of the hot meals they’d be taking to people’s homes, bringing the Christmas spirit to those who couldn’t make it to the tavern.
When someone is done their meal, an “elf” asks them what they would like for Christmas, the elf then texts the request up to the Carleton’s workshop, where volunteers work to find a suitable gift. A runner then brings the one of the donated gifts downstairs where the elf can deliver it to the patron.
When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Parrott said she already had her Christmas wish.
“This day really is what Christmas is about for many of us.”
Dwight Dorey and Jody Thompson are regulars at the Carleton. Thompson remembers the very first Christmas meal served when there were about only five of them in the kitchen. Over time, local musicians offered to come play. Even Santa (who had a striking resemblance to a retired Hintonburg community police officer) showed up, accompanied by Mrs. Claus.
“I’ve now spent more Christmases in this place than I have anywhere in my life,” Thompson said.
“I think there is just all kind of families,” Thompson said. “And this is one of them.”
Noel Langlois gets a visit from Santa Claus during the 16th annual Christmas dinner at the Carleton Pub in Ottawa on Christmas Day, Darren Brown / Postmedia
Volunteers work to hand out a holiday meal during the 16th annual Christmas dinner at the Carleton Pub. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
Santa and Mrs. Claus help Connie Li, who’ll turn 90 in January, into her car during the 16th annual Christmas dinner at the Carleton Pub. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
Volunteer Dick Cooper, right, spoons out a holiday meal. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
Santa and Mrs. Claus greet those coming out to share a meal at the Carleton Pub in Ottawa on Sunday. (Darren Brown/Postmedia) Darren Brown / Postmedia
syogaretnam@postmedia.com
twitter.com/shaaminiwhy
查看原文...
