Christmas is just around the corner and it’s all hands on deck for the Pahrump Holiday Task Force as the nonprofit prepares to celebrate the season with the entire community.
Next Saturday, Dec. 23, the Pahrump Holiday Task Force will host its annual Community Christmas Dinner, an event that has become a cornerstone of holiday tradition in the valley.
Each year sees hundreds of residents and visitors stopping in to partake of the free meal amid an atmosphere of jolly camaraderie but it’s no small feat to bring this event together. It takes an army of volunteers and as of this week, the task force was still in need of additional hands to make it happen.
“We do still need volunteers,” Pahrump Holiday Task Force chair Linda Wright reported, noting that there are a variety of jobs to be handled, ranging from greeting attendees to serving food to cleaning up and more. “Anyone can volunteer, we welcome everyone who wants to help out! Our volunteer orientation will take place the day before the event, on Friday, Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m.”
Another major part of the Community Christmas Dinner every year is the Coat Room and this year, the task force has partnered with the Salvation Army on the effort. Anyone in need will be able to browse around the Coat Room during the event, helping ensure the valley’s population stays warm this winter.
Residents can help out with this effort as well, by donating winter-weather items such as coats, jackets and hats. Donation boxes have been placed around town at the Valley Electric Association office, Optimum Therapy, American First National Bank, the Salvation Army and Saddle West Hotel and Casino and donations can be dropped off until Tuesday, Dec. 19.
As for Community Christmas Dinner attendees, they can expect the NyE Communities Coalition Activities Center to be decked out with holiday decorations and a buffet table laden with a hot and delicious feast, to include heaps of ham and piles of sweet potatoes, along with veggies, cranberries, rolls and, as always, dessert. Local Elvis impersonator Johnny V will be at the event, providing some musical entertainment for everyone’s enjoyment and the task force is excited to announce that Santa Claus will be visiting to spend some time chatting with the kiddos.
“This is a sit-down dinner that’s meant to bring people together,” Wright remarked. “We do it out of love for our community, this is why we do what we do. It’s about bringing the community of Pahrump together to celebrate these special holidays with each other so please join us for a fabulous Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas and we’ll see everyone there!”
The Community Christmas Dinner is set for Saturday, Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To volunteer for the event or donate to the cause email PahrumpHolidayTaskForce@gmail.com
Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com