One Man Makes Christmas Bright for More than Four Decades

Christmas should be a time of great joy. But for many Canadians struggling to make ends meet, the season is less than merry and bright. Thanks to the generosity of people such as Lorne Moir, The Salvation Army can extend its reach in improving the situations of vulnerable individuals and families this Christmas and throughout the year.

“If you can help one person, you’ve done your job,” says 70-year-old Lorne. “It feels good to know that someone’s Christmas will be that much better because of what you did.”

For the past 44 years, on the first Monday of every December, Lorne has hosted a Christmas awareness and fundraising dinner to help lift the spirits of people in need in Cambridge, Ont.

“Our first dinner had 45 people in attendance,” says Lorne. “Today we serve 145―because that’s all the church basement will hold,” he chuckles.

For a cost of $12, the buffet-style meal includes a choice of turkey or roast beef, stuffing, mashed potatoes, turnip, peas, corn, carrots, homemade pie, ice cream, tea, coffee, cider and eggnog.

“It’s an all you can eat meal,” says Lorne. ““The dinner is a memorable event, but the main purpose is to raise money. And there is opportunity for people to donate beyond the cost of the meal.”

“Many local residents continue to struggle in the current economy,” says Major Jo-Anne Gilbert, from The Salvation Army’s Community and Family Services in Cambridge. “We continue to see sustained high demand for our services not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.”

This Christmas more than 700 families have registered with The Salvation Army to receive food and toys. More than $1,000 was raised at Lorne’s dinner that will help to purchase grocery gift cards so everyone who needs assistance can enjoy a Christmas meal of their choice.

Whose world will you change this Christmas?