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HOLIDAY DINNERS

WILKES-BARRE – The Commission on Economic Opportunity held its annual Christmas Together meal at the First Presbyterian Church on Friday, and aside from the food, the event was a chance for reacquainting with old friends.

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Patrick DeCinti dishes out turkey and Thanh Nguyen passes out stuffing to the servers at the First Presbyterian Church on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre during the Christmas Together meal.

Fred Adams photos/For The Times Leader

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Phyllis Canterini, of Plains Township, is involved in conversation while a volunteer server approaches with a fresh drink during a Christmas meal at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilkes-Barre. Volunteers and patrons used the event as an opportunity to catch up with old friends.

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“We thought it was sad that there were people who couldn’t get together with family and might spend Christmas alone,” said Nancy Frey, a member of the event’s planning committee.

She noted that among the more than 100 volunteers were several families who plan reunions in conjunction with the meal. The Kohl family started volunteering in the kitchen early in the meal’s 32-year history. Originally from Kingston, the family has spread out, but second and third generations continue the annual kitchen tradition, Frey said.

Her own sons helped organize the transportation, Frey said, from driving people to the dinner to dropping off the roughly 450 meals that were requested for home delivery throughout the Wyoming Valley. The food is paid for through donations and CEO funding.

Frey said almost everyone used to come to the church, but a blizzard a decade ago set a delivery precedent. “That really shifted things to the delivery,” she said. But those who come in get some fruit and candy “to take a little Christmas home with them,” she said.

Another family comes in from homes in Georgia, California and New Jersey, she said, and makes a point to volunteer at the dinner. “It’s a great time. Some people really look forward to getting together each year,” she said. “Some people come the day before and set up.”

Delores Shershen spends the day before with family just so she can clear her schedule to volunteer the entire Christmas Day. “I don’t do anything with family today,” said the Larksville resident. “We did all that last night.”

Going on nearly a decade, she comes in at 7:30 a.m. to set places at tables, arrange side dishes and prepare additional place settings. “It’s really great to help these people. I just love volunteering, period,” she said. “I don’t like anybody waiting on me; I like waiting on other people.”

All the volunteers do a good job, according to Bob Kemmerer, who ate with Joseph Andrews, both of Wilkes-Barre. “It’s wonderful,” Kemmerer said. “They treat you like gold.”

Andrews said he stops in to be “community spirited.” Formerly an annual visitor, he took a hiatus before starting up again. “We meet our friends here, and we’re very happy to meet them.”

Theresa Harrison of Wilkes-Barre has been stopping in for the past five years. “The best part is we don’t have to cook today,” she said, and she still had a fine meal. Her favorite part was the pie.

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.