The 11th annual JAMS Family Christmas Day Dinner was a huge success this year. Jen, Ali, Mikki, Sandy (JAMS) and their friends and family put on a Christmas feast for 148 people who would otherwise have spent Christmas Day alone. Sandy and her volunteers fed individuals in the hall itself and delivered to several shut-ins in the community.
The JAMS family were pleased to see many new faces come through the door. Johnson was happy to see that the real meaning of the event is starting to catch on, "that no one should spend Christmas Day alone." She added, "It has nothing to do with social or economic status, it's an event for everyone!" This year Sandy, her husband Joel and the rest of the family and friends served individuals ranging from six months old to 96-years-old.
Johnson credits the success of the meal on the amazing financial support of the community. Several businesses as well as personal donations make putting on the meal a worry-free time for her family. "We have confidence in the community. They have always come through for us."
The dinner is also a success because the hall is set up so that people can sit together and visit. Tables are set for ten with real china and cutlery. The JAMS family usually splits up and visits with the attendees. "It's all about relationships and making people feel special and included," notes Johnson.
The amazing volunteers have made the event easier every year. Johnson states that while they had a record crowd this year the amount of volunteers was down. "We had folks come in from as far away as Arcola to help us out." The volunteers we did have worked extra hard to set up and take down. Johnson noted that the packing up is the hardest part as she and her family are pretty tired by that point. "We were blessed to have the Fisher family show up to do dishes for about the fourth year in a row. They come in at 2:00 p.m. and wash dishes until they are all done-it's amazing."
Although this dinner is free to anyone who can't afford to pay, Johnson is pleased that the dinner raised $1,400 dollars for the Knox Hall. The donation was a token of appreciation for the generosity shown to them for nine of the 11 dinners that have been served. The Knox has donated the hall to the JAMS family and they want to give back by donating to the Hall for a project of their choice.
The JAMS family would like to thank everyone for making their 11th dinner a huge success. They look forward to making next year bigger and better.
