OUR HISTORY

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In the heart of Oneonta, New York, the story of Friends of Christmas began on November 26, 1987, during the annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by St. Mary's Church. It was there, amid the clatter of dishes and the warmth of shared meals, that the idea was born.

As I washed dishes in the school kitchen (now the parish center), two remarkable women, Peg Cauley and Jean London, entered. These two well-prepared ladies, both employed at SUCO, left an indelible mark. Peg, a musician, and Jean, a librarian, had recently begun sharing an apartment, having previously dedicated themselves to caring for aging parents.

Their journey had led them to a question: Did St. Mary's offer a community dinner at Christmas? The prospect of Christmas alone in an unfamiliar place weighed heavily on their hearts. I hesitated, fearing the monumental task of organizing a Christmas dinner just three weeks away. But when I sought permission from Father Jillisky, our pastor at the time, his response was unequivocal, "Yes, this is a fabulous idea." He even entrusted me with the keys to the rectory, just in case we needed food from the pantry.

And so, the Friends of Christmas came into being, a name chosen in homage to Jean's Quaker heritage. Their inspiration didn't stop there; Peg and Jean introduced a program they had witnessed in Boston to the members of the First United Methodist Church, and Saturday's Bread was born, becoming an institution in Oneonta.

Our mission was clear: to create a space where those with limited resources or those who were alone during the holidays could come together in the true spirit of Christmas. Whether it was through delivered meals, picking up a bagged meal, or joining a sit-down dinner, everyone was welcome. The event started at St. Mary's, then moved to the First United Methodist Church, and occasionally the Elks Lodge as we outgrew our facilities. In recent years, our dedicated team has utilized the kitchens of Fox Hospital, the Lord's Table, the First United Methodist Church, and St. Mary's Parish Center to prepare the meals.

To meet the growing need, we relied on the generosity of local businesses for in-kind donations and reached out to neighboring churches for pies, rolls, Christmas cookies, sweet breads, cider, and cranberry juice. St. Mary's consistently supported us by purchasing the main meal components.

Volunteers from various area churches, driven by the holiday spirit, joined us in the preparations. They cooked, served, set up, cleaned up, and delivered meals in the five days leading up to Christmas. The menu, while simple, was a labor of love, featuring roasted turkey, ham, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, vegetables, rolls, butter, and an array of desserts. Home deliveries included an apple, yogurt, and a pint of milk.

The year 2020 brought unforeseen challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our approach had to adapt, with all meals either delivered or picked up at the Lord's Table. This shift allowed us to remove restrictions on the number of meals and homebound requirements. Deliveries even extended to places like Delhi, Otego, Cooperstown, and Worcester, with the majority still concentrated in the Oneonta area.

A unique aspect of our initiative is that many volunteers join us to combat the loneliness they might otherwise feel during the holidays. We ensure that all volunteers, including drivers, are welcomed to enjoy a meal. Any unserved food is thoughtfully preserved for use by Saturday's Bread.

Local radio stations and newspapers have played a pivotal role in spreading the word about our Christmas community meal. Information flyers are distributed to all the agencies dedicated to serving people in need.

Over the years, Friends of Christmas has grown from a simple idea in a parish kitchen into a cherished community tradition. The essence of our mission remains unchanged - to offer warmth, nourishment, and a sense of togetherness during the holiday season. We are grateful to our community, volunteers, and supporters who have made this journey possible, and we look forward to continuing to spread the joy of Christmas for years to come.