Sharon and Rick Hamilton started the Glenboro Community Christmas Dinner 14 years ago and they’ve decided the 2022 meal was the last one they’d organize.

Over the years the Hamiltons and their volunteer workers have served hundreds of meals on Christmas Day.

Sharon Hamilton says it has been a lot of fun and very rewarding but it’s now time to let someone else take on the Christmas Dinner. “This was something I always wanted to do. My mother if there was somebody that didn’t have anywhere to go at Christmas they came to our place. I just always had that in the back of my mind that I don’t like people being alone at Christmas.”

The dinner started small with a few volunteers and 50 people showed up to enjoy the meal. The Glenboro Community Christmas Dinner reached a high of 100 and this past December 25th 78 people had registered for the meal. “We didn’t get that many because of the poor weather but we still had about 50 show up,” said Hamilton.

“Our decision to step back is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. We’re 14 years old, things get heavier and there’s a lot of work behind the scenes. We still enjoy and feel that is the time to quit while you still like doing all the planning and work.”

Sharon Hamilton hopes somebody steps forward to take over the meal because she says there’s a real need in the community.

“My phone isn’t ringing off the hook, but I hope somebody takes it on. I’m willing to pass on hints and what to do. We live in a great community but at this point I just don't know if there's anyone willing to take on that commitment.”

 

Even during the pandemic Rick and Sharon Hamilton delivered 50 meals each year.