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HANDS Christmas Dinner
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2016/12 - December | Photograph By: Marjorie Christiansen Photography
It’s time to make your reservations for the annual Christmas Dinner sponsored by H.A.N.D.S. — Highlands Area Non-Profit Donation Sharing. Once again the dinner will be held at the Highlands Country Club from 11 to 5 on Christmas Day.
What started in 2001 has now become a tradition for Highlands families and visitors. It was originally organized by innkeepers who wanted to provide a place for their guests and local families to have a traditional holiday meal on Christmas Day. At that time, no restaurants were open, so the Christmas Dinner was born.
HANDS is 501 c3 organization founded and run by a dedicated group of community volunteers. All profits from the dinner are shared with local charities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Literacy Council of Highlands. Last year they were able to contribute to eight non-profits and hope to help even more in 2016.
It is the ninth year of involvement for Laura Huerta, owner of Lakeside Restaurant, who took over HANDS in January 2016. Huerta said, “I started volunteering for this event back in 2007. This dinner has become my tradition over the years and I’ve been blessed to watch so many families expand, grow up, and start their own families. It’s truly been a wonderful feeling to share Christmas memories with so many people while giving back to the Highlands community.”
The dinner is provided and staffed solely by volunteers, many of whom have participated since the dinner’s inception. They will be serving traditional holiday foods like turkey, ham, roast beef and all the trimmings; delectable homemade desserts make a perfect ending to the relaxed and festive atmosphere.
Cost is $45 for adults, $15 for children. For more information on how you might support HANDS and to make reservations, contact Laura Huerta at (828) 526-9419. Seating is by reservation only.
