Christmas Angels Luncheon on December 25 offering delivery/pickup only

By Patricia Leboeuf | December 2, 2021 | Local
Two women seated on chairs, two men stand behind each chair, in front of unlit fireplace
The Christmas Angels Committee is hard at work ensuring this year’s Christmas Luncheon will be just as amazing as always. Sitting are Chairperson Theresa Sabourin (left) and Committee member Elaine O’Brien (right). Behind them are volunteers Mark Reinert (left) and Al Freethy (right). Missing from the photo is Kim Clouthier. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

The Christmas Angels are donning their halos and aprons to provide a free Christmas Luncheon for residents of Petawawa.

Typically the Dec. 25 luncheon transforms the Petawawa Civic Centre into a Christmas extravaganza with good food, good company and good music. But due to pandemic restrictions, the meal this year, catered by Schmidt’s Catering, is only available for delivery or take-away.

“Last year was our biggest year yet,” said Christmas Angels Committee Chairperson Theresa Sabourin. “We had 298 meals.”

Gloria Deane-Freeman and Kim Clouthier founded the Christmas gathering in 2006. They noticed many families locally were separated from their loved ones over the holidays due Afghanistan deployment.

They pledged that no one would be left without the opportunity for a proper holiday meal.

“Christmas can be a very challenging time for people,” said Sabourin. “People are separated from loved ones or they may just be alone.”

While Clouthier was the owner of Kelsey’s, the event was held at the restaurant for 12 years, growing in popularity each year. When the restaurant changed hands, the Christmas Angels moved their operations to the Civic Centre and continued expanding, welcoming between 16 and 45 volunteers.

Since the luncheon’s inception, Ron Howe has been a volunteer and, only recently. had to step down, but the committee wanted to thank him very much for all his years of input and service to the community, said Sabourin.

She is grateful for the help of volunteers and the donations made by businesses, organizations and individuals. King Sports Pembroke is sponsoring part of the 2021 event. This year, the Petawawa Rotary Club has also committed support.

The event will be held in a drive-through fashion, allowing people to pick up their meal from the comfort of their car.

“You can call up until that day,” said Sabourin. “If your plans have changed that day, you can call up and say, ‘Hey, I’d like a Christmas dinner’ and we have the capacity, through our cellphones, to address last minute and changing circumstances.”

The only criteria is that participants are residents of Petawawa.

“It’s just nice to be able to get together with other people and just do something very close to our hearts,” said Sabourin.

The meal will be delivered or ready for pick-up between noon and 2 p.m. on Christmas Day. Orders for pick-up can be made until lunch is officially finished.

People who are interested in a meal must make a reservation after Dec. 13 for contact tracing purposes. Before Dec. 23, please call 613-687-5678 ext. 1. After Dec. 23, please call 613-401-8971 or 613-687-2429.