To Terry Emslie, nothing beats Christmas, even if it comes in November.
鈥淎nd it will always give you that feeling of love and everything that comes with it,鈥� he said, sitting down to Christmas dinner with hundreds of others at the Bay Street Armoury on Sunday evening.
Emslie was one of more than 800 people who enjoyed a three-course meal served by volunteers at the 42nd annual Mustard Seed Christmas Dinner. The meal, which serves people who are homeless or have a low income, is made possible by the .
He鈥檚 been coming to the dinner for more than 10 years.
鈥淚 like the feeling of closeness,鈥� said Emslie, who lived for a time in Victoria鈥檚 tent city. 鈥淵ou feel like you鈥檙e going to a party.鈥�
The night was a chance for Emslie and others to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season free from the judgment of others.
鈥淭onight鈥檚 a night that people treat me as I鈥檓 special, and I鈥檓 going to treat the people I meet tonight as they鈥檙e special as well. And they鈥檙e going to go home tonight knowing that they were loved by somebody,鈥� he said.
More than 200 volunteers helped to put on the event. Professional chef Ryan Orr and his kitchen crew donated their time to prepare 325 pounds of turkey and 170 litres of gravy, and peeled 550 pounds of potatoes over three days.
Gordo Carroll, who works on the Mustard Seed鈥檚 hospitality crew, said it鈥檚 known as one of the best dinners in town, thanks to the food 鈥� and to the guests.
鈥淪ome of the nicest people I鈥檝e ever met are here. Some of the most giving people I鈥檝e ever met are here,鈥� Carroll said.
He enjoys seeing the community come together for a night of celebration.
鈥淵ou can see people engaged in conversation that never would be at that same table having a meal, but today they do,鈥� he said.
Jade Elk has been coming to the dinner for several years. She enjoyed her turkey dinner with her two daughters, her mother and her boyfriend. She said the event symbolizes family, friends and great good.
鈥淚鈥檓 really happy that they keep having it every year. It鈥檚 a blessing,鈥� she said.
The Mustard Seed鈥檚 Janiene Boice said the night is about more than just a meal.
鈥淲e believe in people and we celebrate every individual鈥檚 incredible value and worth. This Christmas dinner is about our guests and we hope that they feel loved this evening,鈥� she said.
Boice said the dinner kicks off the holiday season and is made possible by the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund, which raised more than $308,000 last year.
鈥淲e do our Christmas hamper program because of the sa国际传媒, as well as this dinner because of the sa国际传媒,鈥� she said.
Donate to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund
鈥� Go to . That takes you to the sa国际传媒 Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
鈥� Mail a cheque, payable to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund Society, to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria V8T 4M2.
鈥� Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, leave a message, we鈥檒l call back.
