Civic clubs come together at Perry Volunteer Outreach Christmas dinner

The Perry Volunteer Outreach held its annual Christmas dinner Monday evening at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.

“I think it’s the 18th one that we’ve done, and it’s grown over the years,” said Larry Wood, PVO outreach minister and director of Grace Village. “We had it out at the fairgrounds this year, and Concessions by Cox is a huge partner in that undertaking because they provide all the food.”

Wood said he estimates 750 to 800 people came to the event this year, which is focused on those in the community who are in need.

“The idea came about from our founder, the late Frank Shelton, to do this for people that may be in an underprivileged situation because a lot of people in that situation don’t get an opportunity to go to a Christmas party,” Wood said. “We started hosting this several years ago to give people a chance to dress up, enjoy a good meal, a time of fellowship and a good community activity.”

The funding required for feeding and entertaining that amount of people comes from the community itself, Wood said. Charlie Cox of Concessions by Cox prepares all the food for the event, while the Agricultural Center is generous in lending of the facility, Wood said.

Several church groups and others donate their tie to provide music and entertainment at no charge, and generous individuals as well as the general budget of PVO provide the door prizes.

“Everything we do through Perry Volunteer Outreach is privately funded; we use no government funds. It’s done by individuals and organizations wanting to support the community and give back to those in need,” Wood said.

Other local organizations acted as greeters, servers and helped fix plates for those dining that evening.

Ross Yasin, president of the Perry Rotary Club, said the Rotarians enjoy being a small part to give back to the community.

“Our organization has been volunteering at this event for a long time,” Yasin said. “It’s important to give back and we know we can’t do everything, but we can at least do something. Again we just enjoy helping others and being a part of this community.”

Other civic organizations such as the Mahala Club and Tahseria Club also helped volunteer Monday night. Both organizations said they too have been volunteering for several years and majority funds raised through their organizations are donated to PVO.

Wood said PVO is extremely grateful for the entire community for helping to provide for the event every year.

“Without the community coming together, things like that wouldn’t happen. I’m proud of the community and love this community because it is beyond generous,” Wood said. “Our Biblical mandate comes from Matthew 25, which said that when we serve the least of thee, we bring good to ourselves and glory to God. That’s why we do it.”