image description
The American Legion in North Adams has been providing Christmas meals for 60 years.

American Legion Will Provide Meal On Christmas Day

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams American Legion Post 125 will once again provide a Christmas Day meal for all those in need.

William Schrade, chairman of the Be Our Guest Christmas Dinner at American Legion Post 125, said since 1955 the American Legion has been making sure no one goes without a full belly on Christmas.  

"It's just a great thing it allows you to give something from the heart and give back when so many people have given to us so we can enjoy the holiday," Schrade said. "It's a great thing and it really makes you feel good."

Schrade said the Legion will serve ham, mashed potatoes, a dinner roll, and mixed vegetables from 11 to 2. There will also be pumpkin and apple pie. Those who eat at the post home will take home a bag with a ham and cheese sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a cookie.

The Legion will also deliver meals to those who call ahead of time. More than 60 people have signed up for deliveries so far, but he anticipates between another 100 to 200 will call in.

The post delivers to North Adams, Adams, Cheshire, Savoy, Clarksburg, Florida, and even Readsboro, Vt..

Schrade said the dinner is only possible though the kindness of the community members who donate money to purchase the food and volunteer to deliver meals and serve at the Legion.

He said the past few years a lot of younger people have come on board.

"Over the past few years, we have been getting a lot of younger people," he said. "That's how my daughter started, and she was coming down when she was 5 or 6 years old waiting tables and now she is 23 years old and in charge of the meals-to-go."

Schrade said that beyond just a good meal, the dinner also provides company to those who may have nowhere to go on the holidays.

"They have a meal but they sit with other people and just shoot the breeze an eat," he said. "They can just have a good time."


Tags: american legion,   charity,   Christmas story,   dinner,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BAAMS' Monthly Studio 9 Series Features Mino Cinelu

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On April 20, Berkshires' Academy of Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) will host its fourth in a series of live music concerts at Studio 9.
 
Saturday's performance will feature drummer, guitarist, keyboardist and singer Mino Cinelu.
 
Cinelu has worked with Miles Davis, Sting, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Vicente Amigo, Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny, Branford Marsalis, Pino Daniele, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Salif Keita.
 
Cinelu will be joined by Richard Boulger on trumpet and flugelhorn, Dario Boente on piano and keyboards, and Tony Lewis on drums and percussion.
 
Doors open: 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
 
All proceeds will help support music education at BAAMS, which provides after-school and Saturday music study, as well as a summer jazz-band day camp for students ages 10-18, of all experience levels.
 
Also Saturday, the BAAMS faculty presents master-class workshops for all ages, featuring Cinelu, Boulger, Boente, Lewis and bassist Nathan Peck.
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories