Decemember 2, 2025

Christmas Dinner’s Milestone Year Marked by a Miracle

 

Christmas is a time for giving, and the committee for the Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner hopes has been hoping to get some good news regarding a new venue for the event this year. "Earlier this week we were without a venue to hold the dinner. We (the committee) were thinking, after 39 years of serving the community, this may be the last year for the Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner unless we find a venue to accommodate," said committee chair Gladden Smith. The last thing the organizing committee wanted to do on this milestone year for the event would be to take a step backward, but as luck would have it, they’d be blessed with an early Christmas miracle. “As of this Monday (Nov. 24th), we were about ready to put out a press release to say we would not be able to offer dine-in service on Christmas day,” Smith said. “But now we’re happy to report that on the 11th-hour Christmas Dinner is saved!”

 

There are many people and various groups to thank. “We couldn't be happier to have been welcomed by Brent Miller and his staff at the Vic Inn for offering up the Imperial Ballroom to hold the dinner. Meals will be served at that venue and delivered as well. The plan was quickly put into motion, and with help offered from Jo Beeverz, Crocus Plains Culinary Arts, Brandon Corrections, and New Dale Colony Christmas Dinner will be able to be held at the Imperial Ballroom from noon - 4:00 p.m. on December 25th

 

Providing a hot turkey, a plateful of trimmings and fellowship on Christmas for those who otherwise go without is what the dinner is all about. In 1985, Rocky Addison, his family and friends served 30 people at a church he owned in downtown Brandon. The dinner was held in the basement of the church. In the four decades that followed, the supper has outgrown the church as well as the Prairie Oasis Senior Centre. As the necessity of the event grew throughout the years, so did the need for more volunteers and larger venues. The Keystone Centre is one of several venues in Brandon that has been home to the event for many years, since its inception, including the last three years (2022-2024) at the MNP Hall. "This really is a pivotal year for the dinner, not only in terms of the new venue, but we were in a period of doubt as to whether we could continue the dinner for various reasons," said Smith.

 

Smith says the key to the dinner's success is kindhearted, considerate community members. "Brandon is a very caring and giving community, from the businesses to families and individuals. There've been so many heartwarming stories over the years of those who have donated to the dinner. We even had a ladies' coffee group pool their money together and donate what they could. Along with one young boy who donated his birthday money to make sure another little boy or girl had a brighter Christmas," said Smith.

 

Smith was quick to share his gratitude and credit the rest of WATCD committee, "A big thanks to the rest of our committee that works very hard behind the scenes to also make sure the Dinner is a success. For many years, the WACTD committee has said “nobody should be alone at Christmas,” and they volunteer their time and efforts to ensure this event can be provided for those who need it. “Christmas can be a very lonely time of year, and every single person in this community, no matter who you are, deserves to know there are many out there that care. That’s our M.O., that is what keeps inspiring us,” said Smith.

 

There is a limited number of meals that can be delivered, and the WACTD committee asks that those who’d like a meal please call the office to reserve a meal delivery. As always, the committee welcomes all volunteers who would like to help deliver the meals this year. It's a great way to spread the Christmas spirit! Please call the WATCD office at 204-728-7987 if you care to lend a hand, donate, or become a sponsor of the event. "2025 is the Dinners' 40th anniversary, and we could not have done it without all the businesses, volunteers and those who have helped in so many ways," Smith said.

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