Early Christmas for elderly

Tradition is important to Mid-Missourians, especially during the holiday season.

Volunteers gathered at the Samaritan Center in Jefferson City on Friday morning to keep up their tradition of delivering holiday meals and presents to area senior citizens.

Ken Otke, Wardsville, said he began helping when the center's new building was under construction. Over the years, he became more involved and now has been delivering meals to seniors for three or four years.

This year, Otke will hit the Centertown and Westview Heights areas.

"The people we deliver these meals to are very appreciative," he said. "They also need these meals -- it's always good to help out."

Ben DeFeo, spokesman for the Samaritan Center, said delivery trucks and vans, filled with approximately five meals each, will serve seniors primarily living in Jefferson City. But drivers will also go to the Brazito, Russellville and Eugene areas.

Containers with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and pumpkin pie were quickly stacked into boxes and placed into the back of vehicles. The dinners, all 77, were prepared by the Village Cafe in Taos, said DeFeo.

Along with the meals, fruit baskets, gallons of milk an`d Christmas presents were part of the holiday packages.

The mother-daughter team of Alice and Sara Stratman, Jefferson City, has been a part of the Samaritan Center for several years, but both are new to making deliveries.

Sara is returning for her second year and asked her mother to come and help. Alice and Sara said they looking forward to helping to make the holidays special for some people in Mid-Missouri.

"It's just a good feeling to visit with these people," Sara said. "It's kind of sad that so many seniors are left alone during the holidays. Many of these people don't have anyone around at Christmas."

Charlie Bernskoetter, Jefferson City, has been a volunteer for more years than he can remember. Bernskoetter said he became involved so many years ago because of Marilyn DeFeo.

"When (Marilyn) does something -- she does it right," he said. "I also saw there was a need in the community and wanted to help."

While the meal delivery is important, Bernskoetter said the Samaritan Center staff and volunteers keeps tradition alive all year long.

"This is just one day out of the 365 that these people help out," he said. "Everyone works hard, every day of the year."

Dick Young and Samaritan Center's Anne Hitz sort out food baskets and gifts as they prepare for delivery. Welch and Young are both volunteers at the center and with the help of several others, worked hard to get the gifts and food all separated into easy routes. (News Tribune/Julie Smith photo)