On December 25, 2023, community members in Santa Cruz gathered for their annual Christmas Community Dinner at the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building. This cherished tradition brought together individuals of all ages to enjoy a festive meal and share in the spirit of the holiday season, despite the chilly weather.
Longstanding Tradition Supported by Volunteers
For nearly four decades, local veterans have organized this free holiday dinner, relying on the support of volunteers and sponsors including the Veterans Memorial Building Board of Trustees. Trevor Hutchison, who coordinates the event, emphasized the importance of community involvement in making this gathering a success. “Without community participation, none of this happens,” Hutchison stated, highlighting the collective effort required to provide meals to those in need.
Hutchison noted that many attendees face difficulties with rising grocery and rental costs. For these individuals, a hot meal or a bag of produce from local distributions, such as the Holy Cross Food Pantry, can significantly ease their burdens. He recalled an interaction with a grateful recipient who credited these services with helping him secure employment after months of struggle. “It was the greatest moment of celebration that you could possibly have,” he shared.
Volunteers Make the Event Possible
The line of attendees stretched down Front Street as people eagerly awaited their turn to enter the Veterans Memorial Hall for the meal. Many volunteers return year after year, finding fulfillment in their service. Brian Shulman, who served as the greeter, described the experience as “grateful and thankful.” He added, “At the Christmas meal, every answer I have is yes. There is not a no in my thought process.”
James Sclar, a staff member and Marine veteran at the Veterans Memorial Building, expressed his admiration for the dedicated kitchen crew and volunteers. “This is their pride and joy. They love doing this,” Sclar remarked, as he welcomed a steady stream of guests eager to enjoy a warm meal.
Among the attendees was Santa Cruz resident James Michael Gonzales, who appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with friends. “It’s great to see all the folks that are usually outside, inside,” he noted. “Bless those people who have a place to be inside for helping out as much as they can.”
Also contributing to the festive atmosphere was Steve Schweikart from Morgan Hill, who took on the role of the event’s “coffee guy.” He and his family decided to volunteer after hearing about the need for assistance at their local yoga studio. “We wanted to do something that we could feel good about, instead of just focusing on stuff,” Schweikart explained.
He emphasized the joy of serving coffee and connecting with attendees. “Just standing here as people are coming in and handing people coffee is, for me, pretty awesome,” he said, reflecting on the fulfilling experience shared with his family.
The Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building continues to play a vital role in the community, not just during the holidays but throughout the year. For more information about their initiatives and programs, visit veteranshall.org.
