It was a “Night at the Oscars” for the roughly 650 seniors at the annual holiday Christmas dinner at the Showmen’s Club on Thursday. The event is held for seniors and homeless veterans who may otherwise be alone during the holidays. For many seniors in attendance, the full dinner with gifts and camaraderie is Christmas. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Riverview Community Service Officer Barbara Jones organized the event, a nearly year-long effort; this was her 19th year. Jones picked up the event from Chaplain Rev. R. Davis of the Tampa Police Department, who ran the event in the 1980s. The dinner is made possible through generous donations from area businesses and through countless volunteers.
“A big thank you to the Riverview community, Mosaic, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and its numerous volunteers, the American Legion Riverview Post, Pleasant Living Recreation Club, Hobby Club of Riverview, Rick Brown and his wife, Theresa Turn, from Tax Happens, the Riverview High School Culinary class, the International Independent Showmen’s Association, Bill “Elvis” Lindsey, the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, The Bookworm, the Riverview Woman’s Club, Dave’s Custom Grills, and the dozens of citizen volunteers,” said Jones. “I could go on forever. The event was both fast-paced and moving for me. Bittersweet, yet thankful that it will continue.”
“Moving” is a word that is used often to describe the event, as with the smiles the emotions come through, often in tears of happiness. Over the years, even long after the dinner, Jones hears words of sincere gratitude from those who attended. After 19 years, many thousands of people have enjoyed the meaning of the spirit of Christmas.
Jones also shared some news with the seniors and volunteers at the dinner. Pick up next week’s Observer News to find out more.