A place in the heart for those alone on Christmas

Philip Shore

For the Randolph Hub

Seniors! What is your outlook for Christmas Day? Alone? Heartsick? That simply needn’t be! “The Heart of Christmas Dinner” is back again to include you in the holidays. 

Local churches and businesses are sponsoring the 9th annual free Christmas Day dinner to seniors for the holidays. A delicious dinner with all the fixin’s will be served from 3-5 p.m. on Dec. 25 at the Randolph Senior Adults Association, 347 West Salisbury St., Asheboro. 

There is much more merriment besides: Carol singing, bingo games, line dancing, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, and secret surprises assure a jolly time for all. 

Those invited are seniors without family nearby, empty nesters of a certain age, or people who have suffered a loss and are having trouble getting through the season. Last year more than 150 guests and volunteers shared the joy.

There’s an angel angle to The Heart of Christmas Dinner: According to organizer Peggy Kilburn, her late husband Howard was deeply troubled that people who especially enjoy companionship are deprived of it on the very day it’s most cherished. It is in Howard’s honor that Peggy founded the dinner.

For more details and merry moments from previous Heart of Christmas dinners, visit www.theheartofchristmas.org.

Sponsors have included (and the list is always growing): Randolph Senior Adults Association, First Baptist Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, First United Methodist Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Magnolia 23, CUOC, Mistletoe Meadows, The Table Farmhouse Bakery, Nannie Mae’s, Friends of the Randolph Library, Brightside Gallery, Carter’s Family Pharmacy, PIP Printing, Liberty Advisors, The Preppy Possum, Schmidt’s Candy (NY), AVS Catering & Banquet Center, Fortuna Enterprises, Our State Magazine, Southern Supreme, The Flying Pig, Hop’s Barbecue, Lumina, Hamilton’s Steakhouse, Something Different, Taco Loco, The Randolph Hub, WXKR, and several generous anonymous Kris Kringles, to name but a few.

Volunteers are requested for setup and cleanup and to serve the meal on Christmas Day, or by dropping off a side dish or dessert. Monetary donations are also most welcome. To volunteer, call organizer Peggy Kilburn at 336-521-4157 or email her at TheHeartofChristmasDinner@gmail.com or text Peggy at 516-302-7587.

The dinner is free but spaces are limited and reservations are required by Dec. 21. To reserve a spot, call the Asheboro Senior Center receptionist at 336-625-3389, ext. 221.