Christmas Feast Gives 200 the Gift of Good Company

A year ago, Gisela Groves was sitting in her bedroom on Christmas, feeling the loneliness within the four walls.

Things were different this time as the 62-year-old Seal Beach widow joined more than 200 people at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, which provided meals to those who are alone during the holidays.

The idea for the feast came about 20 years ago when a Roman Catholic monsignor was stranded in a hotel room in Europe and discovered how especially lonely the holiday season can be, according to event coordinator Pat McMaster.

“When he came back, he wanted to start something for the community, because he felt that nobody should have to be alone on Christmas,” said McMaster, a purchasing specialist for the American Assn. of Retired Persons.

This year, people came arm-in-arm with old friends to share turkey and trimmings and a smile with new acquaintances. And as they talked and laughed over food, music that included Christmas carols played on a piano and Irish folk songs from a fiddle flooded the room. Many donned Santa hats and other seasonal accessories such as Christmas pins and ties to add spice to the event.

“This is great; I’m so overwhelmed,” Groves said.

Hallie Koonce, 55, of Long Beach said this is the first Christmas she’s enjoyed since her husband died five years ago.

“Last year, I just spent the day feeling sorry for myself,” she said. “Being here is just wonderful. You can’t help but feel that way. You don’t feel alone at all.”

“Besides,” Koonce added, “after all those years of fixing a meal, it’s nice to have someone else do the cooking.”

Dozens of volunteers toiled for hours preparing the meals and decorating the auditorium with Christmas trees, poinsettias and candy canes. Students from St. Hedwig’s school decorated place mats and bought presents, 250 in all, for the participants.

“We couldn’t have done this without the volunteers, and there are many,” McMaster said.

Volunteers included Marina Hanley, a fourth-grader at Lee Elementary School in Los Alamitos. Her first stint as a volunteer was spent setting the tables, pouring sparkling cider and serving food.

After a day’s work, Marina, 10, leaned against a wall, looking tired. She spoke about what a “nice feeling” it is to help others and how much fun it was to work beside her little brother, Jason, but admitted, “It hurts my feet.”

Her mother, Tamara Hanley, said she wanted her children to volunteer after they submitted a long wish list for Christmas.

“I didn’t want them to think that Christmas was only about what you get,” said Hanley, 38. “I wanted them to understand what’s more important is what you give. That’s the true meaning of Christmas.”

And in giving, Hanley said, she received an unexpected gift.

As she was greeting guests, Hanley ran into one of her mother’s old friends, whom she hadn’t seen in about 20 years.

“She recognized me, and her face just lit up,” Hanley said. “My mom will now be reunited with her friend.”

That friend, Groves, said the last time she saw Hanley’s mother, Hannelore Ellerbe, was at a wedding. The two women were neighbors, and both were from Germany and had small children. They became good friends but drifted apart when one moved away.

“Meeting Tamara at the door was like a miracle,” Groves said.