At State Sen. Vernon Smith’s annual Christmas dinner, the faces rarely change.
From volunteers to hungry eaters, Smith and his crew can expect to feed at least 500 of the city’s hungry. At the event’s 29th annual gathering Sunday, the numbers were right on par as hundreds waited in the Genesis Center lobby.
Courtney Franklin was their gatekeeper. The 18-year-old Gary woman has volunteered at the dinner for as long as she can remember, but this was the first time she was out front manning the door.
“I count the number of people in their party and issue them a ticket. I guess I’m the hostess,” Franklin said. “My aunt works with Mr. Vernon, and my family’s been recruited ever since I was, maybe, 7. But it’s nice.”
Smith, who was front and center serving the best part of the meal — the ham and turkey — started the dinner after he’d had an argument with his family before the holiday when he was younger and thought he knew everything. The loneliness he experienced that year was something he’d never wish on anybody.
“I’m doing great,” Smith said, grinning from ear to ear.
Marcia Jane Horton, of Gary, came to the dinner dressed with a sparkly white headband adorned with musical notes. With being a widow and having family scattered all over the place, the dinner was the perfect place for her.
“This is my first time here, and I wanted to be a part of what the community is doing with others,” Horton said. “This brings life to me.”
Jacqueline Tribble, of Gary, knows how Horton feels. Tribble has volunteered for the dinner for at least 20 years and comes to see friends and former customers of hers.
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“When my mom died, I needed something to make Christmas meaningful again. Another friend talked me into coming,” Tribble said. “I loved it so much, I made sure that when I moved out of the country, I had someone taking my place.
“It’s very rewarding. When you’re able to forget yourself and focus on others for a while, there’s no greater reward.”
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.