All welcome: 30th annual Free Christmas Day Dinner set for Beaver Falls High School.
BEAVER FALLS ― The 30th annual Free Christmas Day Dinner Outreach will take place at Beaver Falls High School.
Hosted annually by Christian Assembly Church's CARE Outreach Ministry, dinner service takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 25.
The event's mission: "to provide a warm homemade meal to anyone who is alone and hungry; to distribute hats, gloves, scarves, socks, sweats and blankets to all, bringing warmth from the harshness of winter; and to promote a deep sense of camaraderie amongst all who enter enjoying a haven of rest and much-needed joy," Rebecca Ficca Salopek, CARE Outreach coordinator, said.
As in past years, hundreds of toys will be available for children, along with Polaroid photographs with Santa Claus and his elves, and the Grinch.
Between 200 and 400 volunteers make the event possible.
New items of warm clothing, like new sweatpants, sweatshirts, blankets, hats, scarves for all sizes and ages are appreciated as donations at Christian Assembly Church, 814 Lincoln Place, Beaver Falls. Call ahead to make sure someone is available for drop-off at 724-846-3751 or 724-309-1262.
"We will continue to provide craft tables and activities for children throughout the day and a resource area filled with community and social service, as well as Bibles, devotionals and local church information," Salopek said. "These resources have proven to be of great importance to our guests as we all deal with a difficult economy and daily personal struggles."
No advance registration is needed; walk-ins are welcome.
Free car rides to the event are provided for residents of the Harmony and Morado dwellings by calling Leshaun at 718-314-9207.
Free Christmas Day bus service to the event from multiple municipalities is provided on this schedule:
Beaver Falls
10:30 a.m.: PRV Manor, corner of Seventh Avenue and 17th Street, Beaver Falls.
10:35 a.m.: Campbell's Funeral Home, 1326 Eight Ave., Beaver Falls.
10:40 a.m. Beaver Falls High School drop-off.
10:50 a.m.: Mount Washington section of Beaver Falls, going up Steffin Hill, the first left at 2103 12th Ave.
10:55 a.m. Pleasantview, 16th Avenue and 16th Street.
11 a.m.: Beaver Falls High School drop-off.
Midland/Vanport/Beaver
8:30 a.m: Midcrest Community Room, Midland Heights.
8:40 a.m.: Lincoln Park.
8:50 a.m.: Men's Emergency Homeless Shelter, Vanport Township.
9 a.m.: Women's Shelter, Beaver.
Aliquippa, Ambridge, Baden, Freedom, New Brighton, Beaver Falls
9:15 a.m.: Linmar Terrace, Waugaman Street, top of the hill, Aliquippa.
9:20 a.m.: Aliquippa Police Station.
9:30 a.m.: Maplewood Personal Care Home, 461 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge.
9:40 a.m.: Punk's Ice Cream, Baden.
9:45 a.m.: Fox's Pizza, Freedom.
9:50 a.m. Mental Health Association, 105 Brighton Ave., Rochester.
10 a.m.: Monro Muffler, Junction Stretch, Rochester Township.
10:05 a.m.: American Legion, 415 13th St., New Brighton.
10:10 a.m.: Snowy White Cleaners, 602 Fifth St., New Brighton.
10:15 a.m.: Cornerstone Recovery and Supports, 501 Seventh Ave., (the old Seventh Avenue Hotel) Beaver Falls.
10:20 a.m.: Monro Mufflers, Seventh Avenue, Beaver Falls.
10:25 a.m.: Smith's Personal Care Home, 300 Pine St., Beaver Falls.
More: Beaver County business helps add historic violin to Violins of Hope traveling exhibit
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: 30th annual Free Christmas Day Dinner set for Beaver Falls High School
