Families lend a hand at Manna Helping others a great gift

BANGOR – Getting together with family for the holiday took on new meaning Tuesday at the annual Manna Ministries Christmas dinner

Sixty-five volunteers spent the holiday preparing and serving food to more than 700 community members at the Bangor Elks Lodge – and some of the volunteers participated as family.

Monica Willey, 17, of Bangor said her family had planned to work at the dinner.

“We got up around 7:30 a.m., exchanged presents with the immediate family and then we all came here,” Willey said.

“Last summer, we decided that we didn’t want to give gifts outside the immediate family,” she said. Instead, the extended family decided to give a gift to the community and volunteer at the Christmas dinner.

Her parents, two brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even a few cousins were involved. In total, 14 of Willey’s family members from three different states helped serve food and pass out gifts.

“It’s an opportunity to touch someone’s life and feel like you can make a difference,” Willey said.

Willey’s father, Larry, is confident that this kind of generosity will increase in the coming year.

“I think you’ll see more people in the community getting involved,” Larry Willey said. “It’s getting back to what the holiday season is about.”

Hilary Ohmart, 17, of Brewer came with three other members of her family. Ohmart was glad to extend the holiday beyond her immediate family.

“It’s fun because you get to spend Christmas with so many more people,” Ohmart said.

Those people were treated to roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing, all prepared by members of the Bangor Elks Lodge – some of whom showed up at 4 a.m. to start cooking.

“We’ve done this for five years,” Elks Lodge member Bob Gross said about his group. “It’s my satisfaction during the holiday season.”

Bill Rae, director of Manna Inc., said the event comes at an important time since people are feeling the effects of recent events.

“The economy is bad right now and you can see a reflection of that in the number of people requesting gifts,” Rae said. “And luckily, we’ve been able to meet that need.”

Rae said the volunteers gave out 256 large bags full of presents requested by people. The need for those gifts has increased since last year, Rae said.

“The numbers have gone through the roof,” Rae said. “Over 1,000 people have requested gifts this year.”

Volunteers also staffed tables where people could take away gifts even if they hadn’t requested any. People received brand-new shirts, sweaters, dresses and mittens. In addition, Manna raffled off two new bikes, four new skateboards, and a hat autographed by NASCAR driver Ricky Craven.

Rae was impressed with the turnout of donations and volunteers, but said that Manna’s need isn’t over just because the holidays are.

“Bangor, Maine, has a heart for the needy and we need to keep that going,” Rae said. “People still need to eat after Christmas.”

Rae said that people who had requested gifts but were unable to make it to the dinner should stop by Manna at 180 Center St. during the week.