MADAWASKA, Maine — Local volunteers in Madawaska braved rough roads at Christmas to deliver more than 100 meals to homebound and elderly residents.
The effort was a collaboration between the local Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Isabella and Boy Scouts. Besides deliveries, they also put on a sit-down dinner at the Knights hall.
Once a tradition among the groups, the event had been on hiatus for some time before returning for the recent holiday, said Priscilla Cannan, a longtime member of the Madawaska Daughters of Isabella.
“We started back on this year,” Cannan said, “and we’re hoping to continue.”
Part of the reason the deliveries and celebration stopped is because the Knights of Columbus did not have a cook in previous years, Cannan said.
She said the idea came about from her husband, who brought it up during a Knights of Columbus prayer group.
“I did all the groundwork and they did all the cooking and delivering,” she said.
About 10 Knights helped with cooking, and four Scouts, three high schoolers and a few others joined in the delivery, Canaan said. The food was delivered to residents in Madawaska and St. David.
Some of the deliverers reported that elderly and homebound residents said this was one of the best Christmases they’ve had for a long time, she said. Most live alone and don’t often have turkey by themselves.
“They had a Christmas turkey meal, plus a little visit,” Cannan said.
People started preparing meals at 8 in the morning. The groups also worked to get the local Knights of Columbus Hall ready to serve more than 70 meals to guests for an afternoon dinner.
The live event featured live music from The Sunshine Band, a local group that features Cannan’s husband. Acadia Federal Credit Union donated $1,000, which covered costs for the event, Cannan said.
“There were Christmas songs, and rock and roll songs and a lot of spirit,” Cannan said. “It was a nice atmosphere of joyfulness.”
