Dec 6, 2019 3 min read

Chuck Wolfe of Graysville is preparing for the second annual Christmas Day Dinner at the Waynesburg Fraternal Order of Eagles.

“I’m feeling nervous,” he said. “My main goal, I’m trying to get the word out.”

The dinner will be on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and Wolfe said food deliveries will start at noon. Wolfe and his team at the Eagles’ headquarters, 52 W. High St., will begin serving food at 1 p.m. The menu will include ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, egg noodles, dessert and more.

“This dinner is free to those in need, whether it be the need of a hot meal or just to have someone to spend Christmas with,” Wolfe said. “We will serve until food runs out or everyone leaves.”

Wolfe is a county native who recalls attending St. Ann’s annual Christmas Day Dinner with his mother. When he grew up and moved away, the dinner ceased to commence. Upon returning to Greene County, he noticed the need for something similar. So last year, with the help of his wife, their family of nine and a handful of volunteers, Wolfe coordinated the Eagles’ first-annual Christmas Day Dinner.

“Last year was much more than we anticipated,” he said with a laugh. “There’s a need much bigger than I thought.”

He and roughly 20 other volunteers served close to 600 meals, including takeout orders. Local businesses and community members contributed, Wolfe said, noting the Waynesburg KFC, Fredericktown Butcher Shop, Waynesburg Walmart and Senior LIFE all donated food or desserts.

Last year, the crew went through six hams and eight turkeys. This year Wolfe wants to double that.

“Once they ate, they volunteered to help,” Wolfe said of the guests. “There were children (helping). That really touched us.”

This year, Wolfe said, his goal is to deliver to all of Greene County, and be able to gift volunteer drivers with gas gift cards. Last year, he was limited to serving those within a five-mile radius of Waynesburg.

Wolfe said he started accepting donations for this year’s meal in mid-September and will continue until Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. Donations can be food or supplies like plates or tin foil. Any leftovers from this year will be donated to the Corner Cupboard Food Bank or St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen.

To fundraise for this event, Wolfe said the Eagles already conducted a $2 raffle, with the winner, who receives $1,000, to be announced on Dec. 7’s 7 p.m. lottery.

If enough people show interest, Wolfe said he will offer a second one, with winner to be announced on Dec. 14.

“I’m glad there are so many people willing to help,” Wolfe said. “We at the Eagles are people helping people, and that’s what we want to do.”

Wolfe and his team are looking for volunteer drivers, cooks, servers and those to help set up and clean up. If interested, contact Chuck Wolfe at 724-998-2930 or chuck15337@gmail.com.

To keep up to date on developments, or for more information, visit the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ Facebook page, @F.O.E.#598Waynesburg. To place an order for delivery on Christmas Day, call the office at 724-627-7565. If interested in being a volunteer, commit by Dec. 21 by calling the office or contacting Wolfe.