In the event, about 7 home alones and 23 Food Cupboard clients turned up. Three international students from Carleton University cancelled through sickness, and a forth was unable to find the church. We discovered that except for a few, it was necessary to call people personally and invite them. We also discovered that cameras would not have been welcome. The guests loved the turkey, apple crisp and ice cream and squares, were very grateful to have been invited and had a great time. Nigel Kilby had them thoroughly enjoying dancing to reels and jigs, and we all sang a couple of carols. Volunteers chauffeured 13 to and from the church.

Our 29 volunteers were absolutely wonderful, with several whole families deciding to spend their Christmas evening with us, and being rewarded with jobs like chauffeuring, waiting tables and washing dishes. We received the full cost of food in donations from seven kind individuals. My greatest joy was to see the table volunteers getting the food for their guests and looking after them so well during the evening. Laurie-Ann and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in the hall with us. Acoustics in the hall were not a problem.

This dinner was our gift to those who honoured us with their company on this special day.

Chief cook, from the Kanata Community Alpha: Laurie-Ann Copple - who also had the vision for this day. Some of the recipes came from the Alpha cooking page.

- Tony Copple  Tel: 591-3903  E-mail