Volunteers who helped dish up 415 meals to people who were in need, alone, or working on Christmas day said there was both a good feeling and lessons in helping.

“I wanted my children to see this,” Jeanne Morgan, whose husband, Phillip, pastors Mt. Gilead, said. “Plus, we would like to duplicate this effort out in the county. I’m here to learn.”

After delivering meals, she said the experience was good.

Helen and James Wambles also volunteered to deliver meals for the first time.

“Our children are gone,” she said. “It’s great to see smiling faces and to do something for somebody else. I love to help.”

When she returned her delivery boxes to the church, she said, “We’ll definitely do this again.”

“My whole family is here,” Matt Mancil said. “My wife and mother are washing dishes, and my kids are here, too. This is something we’ve always talked about doing, and today is the day.”

The Morgans, Wambles and Manchils were part of a large community of volunteers who made the Christmas Day meals served by Jo’s Community Dinners a success. Hosted and organized by members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, the effort delivers and serves meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas day.

On Thursday, the menu was ham, dressing and giblet gravy, green beans, corn, rolls and cranberry sauce.

Desserts were provided by members of First United Methodist Church, and other churches provided the paper products used.

Tammy Portemont and Terry Kyzar, supported by a team of volunteers, captains the kitchen effort for Jo’s Community Dinners, and Jan Morris handles fundraising and accounting.

Volunteers began work early, slicing and boxing desserts, slicing ham, and baking dressing and rolls.

At 9:30, there was no pause – but there was at least a hush – as the Rev. Cindy Howard, rector of St. Mary’s, served communion.

By 10 a.m., Claude Sumblin had distributed maps directing volunteers to the homes of 200 people for whom meals had been requested.