Editor:

Christmas is the time of year for joy and happiness, but for those who are lonely or less fortunate it can be a very sad time of year. This is the reason that for the past 33 years the Lighthouse Christian Center along with area business and community volunteers treat those people to a free Christmas dinner.

The dinner is free, it consists of ham, chicken, barbecue pork, green beans, corn, scalloped potatoes, coleslaw, bread, milk, coffee and Wick’s pies for dessert.

In addition to the meal, we have a treat of candy, fruit and gum, especially for children. We also have numerous door prizes for adults and gifts for children. the past few years, we have had bicycles as door prizes for the children.

Even in the bad economy, businesses and the more fortunate have been very generous this year; we expect to have a lot of food and gifts. We also expect to have a lot more door prizes to make Christmas more enjoyable for more people.

Reservations for the dinner are requested, so we know how much food to prepare, but you can come without one. Leave a message with the age of your children so we can have the appropriate-aged gift. If you know a shut-in that needs a meal, please call 937-548-7464 and put their name on the list. Please leave a message if no one answers, someone will get back to you.

The meal begins at 11:30 a.m. on Christmas Day. Come and have fun and lots of fellowship.

Barbara Fee, chair

Lighthouse Christian Center free community Christmas dinner