The Free Community Christmas Dinner (FCCD) was founded by Ann Edstrom Watters in 1990 to ensure that no one had to spend Christmas day alone. Although our founder passed away in April, 2009, her legacy continues through the generous donations and efforts of the community. FCCD received it’s classification as a non-profit organization in November, 2012.
From 1990 up to 2020, our Christmas Day events consisted of a ‘sit-down’, fully served, hot turkey dinner event with all the fixings. Christmas music filled the air and Santa himself came to our event and provided all the children with presents! This was NOT an easy task. It took 36 turkeys! Cases of sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans and dinner rolls. Drinks included coffee, punch, & water. Desserts were also provided! We even put together 200 +/- meals and delivered them to the homebound! These ‘Christmas Dinner events’ were only obtainable because we had very dedicated directors, many monetary contributions from individuals and business donations alike, the valuable time of eighty plus volunteers!
But, all good things seem to come to an end. The COVID pandemic hit in 2021. Government restrictions put an end to large gatherings. The actual dinner on Christmas Day events for the holiday seasons of 2021 & 2022 were canceled. The COVID pandemic put an end to the era of serving actual sit down meals on Christmas Day to the 900 -/+ adults and children that had previously attended. Our community no longer had a special place to go on Christmas Day. Sadly, there were no more kids sitting on Santa’s lap nor picking out presents.
But our devoted directors were determined to continue to do something for our communities. So, during the holiday seasons of 2021 & 2022, FCCD donated funds totaling $10,000 each year to other local charities that were able to assist our local residents via the food banks, through the Senior Citizens organizations, Shop With A Cop and Toys for Tots.
When 2023 rolled around, FCCD decided to ease back into the Christmas Day holiday event by doing a ‘FREE photos with Santa!’ While deserts and drinks were available to those attending, the children/families were encouraged to visit and have their pictures taken with Santa. An actual picture was then printed and given to them! They were then allowed to pick out a present. Presents were donated to FCCD by Toys for Tots! What goes around, comes back around!
While the ‘Photo with Santa’ was going on, a ‘free’ bike drawing was taking place. FCCD purchased 5 new bikes, 1 new bike was donated, and 25+ refurbished bicycles that were donated by the Alamosa Bicycle Coalition. Please go to our Facebook page to view the photos from this exciting event!
A very special thank you should also be given to Mark Launsberry/Grower Shipper Potato Company as they have literally donated hundreds of 5 lb sacks of potatoes to our events over the years. These potatoes were then to disbursed to the public via not only at our event, but also through the bingo events held by Knights of Columbus (aka The Columbus Home Association Event Center), and by the La Puente Home Inc.
And last but certainly not least, we would definitely be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the Alamosa branch of the Knights of Columbus as they have graciously provided their hall, aka The Columbus Home Association Event Center, located at 1112 8th Street, Alamosa, CO , to host our annual events since 2019.
Free Community Christmas Dinner 