SHS gearing up for another Christmas supper

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Overwhelmed by last year’s unexpected turnout, nearly 50 Strathmore High School students are putting on their chef’s hats and dusting off their aprons once again, in an effort to continue a former Strathmore Lions Leo Club initiative and give over a hundred residents a true Christmas experience with the annual Community Christmas Dinner.
Over 170 individuals showed up to the 2014 supper that was previously organized through the Leo’s Club – a youth division of the Strathmore Lions. Expecting only 120 people to attend, the food became scarce quickly.
This year, with a low member-turnout among the Leos, the high school’s Spartan Council – which also came into existence last year – will carry on the tradition, the school’s largest initiative.
“Usually the dinner is supposed to be for people less fortunate and who maybe don’t have the greatest Christmas experience,” said Amy Lambert, Spartan Council Grade 12 vice-president.
“This year we are making sure that it’s for people whose families aren’t coming, or maybe they don’t have a family. Those people, where Christmas is a hard time. It’s more for people who need it rather than people who would just like to come.”
Continuing with their turkey and ham menu, items that are usually donated by local grocery stories, the group of 46 is planning on introducing an updated and fresh spin through fun salads and vegetables. Every year, families also provide the group with the gender and age of their children for Santa to hand out presents during the event. Relying heavily on donations from the community, the Grade 10, 11 and 12 students are aware that the recent downturn in the economy may affect next week’s supper.
“That’s another thing that’s going to maybe be a little bit more difficult this year, is that maybe some companies don’t want to donate as much because they’re maybe not doing as well as they were last year,” said Tyler Jamieson, the Spartan Council Grade 12 community representative. “But I think you could be worse off. Even a small donation really means a lot to some of the people coming. It’s a good deed for the community and it warms your little heart to know that you are doing something for people that you know wouldn’t get to have it.”
Invitations will be dropped off at schools, churches, Lambert Centre, the lodges, and the Wheatland Crisis Society.
“I know Tyler and I’ve been in the Leo Club since we came to the school in Grade 10 and I went on a trip last year through the Lions so the Leo Club has given me lots of opportunities,” said Amy Lambert, Grade 12 vice president. “I think if it didn’t happen this year, it would be very different it would be hard. I think this is one of the most fun fundraisers we do in school. If you have 125 people and everyone of them is so happy, it’s a pretty cool experience.”
Because of the current economic situation, the council is expecting to serve more families this year and is still capping their guest list at 120.
The Community Christmas Dinner will take place on Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Strathmore High School. The group urges those who know anyone who could benefit from this event to contact Darlene Reynolds at 403-934-3135.