Two Rockwell City parishioners play major role in spreading Christmas cheer

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted December 19, 2002

ROCKWELL CITY - Two parishioners from St. Francis of Assisi Parish have been helping to spread a little Christmas joy in their community for a number of years.

For the last 18 years, Carolyn Richardson has organized a Christmas dinner to offer food and fellowship for anyone in the Rockwell City area. She acknowledged that many in the community have aided her in the effort, especially her sister, Joyce Schoenbaum, who has been the co-organizer for many years.

Plans for this year's dinner - the 19th - are well underway.

"Many people get together with their families on the weekend, so they really look forward to dinner with us on Christmas Day," said Richardson, who will be 69 on Dec. 25.

And while many come for the community-building aspect, the meal is not too bad either. They serve ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry salad, three vegetables and pie. To get the community more involved, each of the five churches in town are asked to contribute five pies and then Richardson makes another five.

Both individuals and entire families have attended the dinner. The meal is offered free of charge, however, some who attend for the fellowship of the day rather than out of need, offer a donation.

"This is one way to bring our community tightly together," said Schoenbaum.

When the dinner started years ago, Richardson was managing Rockwell City's senior center. A man from the community, Clarence Pringle, offered to buy all the food for a Christmas dinner and donate $1,000 to the senior center every year if she would host a Christmas dinner. Pringle had told her that he never wanted anyone hungry, lonely or alone on Christmas Day.

"The first year we only had 56 people and every year it has continued to grow," she explained.

The dinner was held for the first six years at the senior center and then moved to St. Francis at the former Catholic school's library. After about another four years, the school library was not large enough, so it moved into the church hall at St. Francis.

Father Richard Kielbasa, pastor, is supportive of the cause.

"We put on a little program and have sing-alongs," said Richardson. "Many times people don't want to go home because it's so much fun."

Last year, about 60 meals were delivered to shut-ins and people who had to work on Christmas such as those at the sheriff's office or gas stations. They've even fed travelers. In all they served about 180 meals. This year they are expecting upwards of 200 people - between eat-in and delivery.

Richardson acknowledged that while she has helped with advance preparations for the meal, this year she does not plan to serve it on Christmas Day as she is going to spend the day with her family.

To offset costs of the meal, several years ago they opened a bank account where people could contribute to the Community Christmas Dinner Fund. Many in the community have donated both cash and food for the dinner. One woman from St. Francis has made all of the dressing for the last four or five years.

"Some people will not have their own Christmas at home until they have delivered Christmas meals to others," said Richardson. "They say it would not really be Christmas without doing this."

Schoenbaum explained that they secure volunteers from all five of the local church. They serve in a variety of ways from greeters to chefs, help with set up, serving and meal delivery. Her son and his children have helped out at the dinner for several years.

"It has become a tradition for them. They have their Christmas earlier in the day," she said.

One of the reasons that Richardson continues to be involved in the dinner is to give back to a community that has helped out her family. Two of her five children had the terminal illness of cystic fibrosis, one of whom has died as a result of the illness. Her husband is also ill.

"I always felt that people were very aware of the children's illness and couldn't have been kinder or more loving. I always wanted to give back to the community what they gave to me," she said. "I think the Lord constantly comes up with things for me to do, and I hope that I serve him in a pleasing way. I do it with joy."

Richardson has described her sister as a caregiver. Schoenbaum, 66, has taken care of sick relatives and is head of the funeral committee at St. Francis.

Both women believe the dinner will continue for years to come.

"You go home totally exhausted, but the joy you get from serving others is not something that you can describe," said Richardson. "You go home thinking that you are so much richer than the rest of the world."

Schoenbaum acknowledged that every year she says she is not going to do it again.

"But you have such a warm feeling on the inside that it is worth all the work and the hassle," she said. She doesn't mind giving up part of her Christmas because "you are giving it to others."