A Christmas dinner for all

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Volunteer Shoshe Drapin of Naugatuck chats with guests during the annual Christmas Day Dinner at St. Michael’s Church in Naugatuck in 2016. –REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN ARCHIVE

NAUGATUCK — Anyone looking for some company and a home-cooked meal on Christmas will be able to find both at the annual Christmas Day Dinner.

The dinner, which will feature turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables and turnips, is open to all who would like to come. Dinner will be served from 12 until 2 p.m. on Christmas, Dec. 25, at the St. Michael’s Church Parish Hall, 210 Church St.

Naugatuck resident John Ford and his late wife Maureen started the dinner over 30 years ago to show their children the true meaning of Christmas. The Fords passed the responsibility of organizing the dinner to Naugatuck resident Mike Kelly in 1999. Last year, Kelly handed the reins to borough residents Jim and Susan Goggin.

Jim Goggin said the main thing he learned from organizing the dinner last year is that there’s no need to change the way Kelly ran it for 18 years.

“If it’s not broke, you don’t fix it,” Jim Goggin said.

Last year, about 300 meals were served during the dinner, including 120 that were delivered to Naugatuck residents.

The dinner is completely run by volunteers. Jim Goggin said volunteers are needed to serve dinner or wash dishes. He said donations of desserts are also needed for the dinner.

Dessert donations can be dropped off Christmas morning at the parish hall before the dinner starts.

Anyone interested in volunteering or having a meal delivered can contact Jim Goggin at 203-996-6675, 203-720-7051 or jgoggin@naugatuck-ct.gov for information.

Jim Goggin said all are welcome on Christmas to come to the dinner and enjoy a holiday meal together.

“It’s not just someone who can’t afford a Christmas dinner. It is for someone who wants to be where people are. If you are at home and want to have a nice dinner, but feel like cooking for one is too much work, come on down,” he said.