East Providence Elves To Host Christmas Community Dinner

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — For a group of East Providence residents being home for Christmas means being able to make sure that those who don't have any place to be — or anyone to be with — can enjoy some nice company, a hot meal and hopefully some genuine holiday cheer. They call themselves the "East Providence Elves" and have grown from five local members of the community who wanted to do something kind to 80 people serving free meals to 520 people last Christmas.

This will be the fourth year of the East Providence Community Dinner from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brightridge Club on Brightridge Avenue. Organizers offer rides for those who cannot get to the club on their own, and will deliver meals to those who cannot leave their residences.

Those who come to the Brightridge Club can enjoy a full, free turkey dinner — with all the fixings — including dessert. The volunteers will also hold Christmas cookie decorating, toys for children from Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses' Toys for Tots, free clothes, hygiene products, hats and gloves. There also be an East Providence barber there offering men's and boys' haircuts.

Shuttle pickups will take place at local public housing locations in East Providence — Goldsmith, City View, Harbor View, Rumford Towers and Crossroads and Crossroads for Family and Children in Providence. Pickups begin every half hour starting at noon and continuing until 4:30.

Organizers Lisa George, Stephen Costa, Tony Ferreira, Beverly LaFort and Izilda Fernandes are seeking volunteers from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. Those wishing volunteer, or request a ride or delivered meal, can call George at 401-516-1313 or Fernandes at 401-999-0029.

Donors for this year's even include: Tahoe Jewelry, John Oliver, Lucy Stoddard, Charles Tsonos, Ray Pouilert, Mark Norton, Greg Amore, Nick Shattick, Stephanie Vinhateiro and family, JoEllen Hockenbrough, Joe Eugenio in Memory of his mom Alexandrea Eugenio, Auction Store, Shirley Conn, Taunton Ave Bakery, Lidia Alves, Brightridge Club, Dunking Donuts Pawtucket Ave. in Riverside, Eddy Silva, Munroe Dairy, Riveria Restaurant, Davenport's Restaurant, Jessica Beauchaine, Little Bit of Everything in Pawtucket, Darlene Anctil, Paiva Agency, Steven Langford, United Steel Workers Local 14845, Little Red School House, Kim Nunes, City of East Providence and Cardi's Furniture.

Organizers also thank all those in the community who have donated clothing, toiletries and toys.