Thanks to an “overwhelming” show of support from the community, Deneen Rose said she will continue the annual Christmas Dinner in 2025.

Rose who has organized the dinner for seniors, veterans and those in need for 10 years  said this one could have been the last due to the financial burden of putting on the event and feeding more than 125 people. But thanks to a stream of donations and volunteer help, Rose said the dinner will continue. 

Fears of the Christmas tradition coming to an end this year did not stop Rose and a team of volunteers bringing the full spirit of the season to the Multi-Service Center on Saturday Dec. 14.

Senior, veterans and those in need filed into the Council on Aging room for a Christmas dinner that featured turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce rolls and assorted desserts donated by community members.

Plymouth attorney Ryan Matthews stepped in Santa’s shoes to hear the Christmas wishes of attendees while Angella Kronillis performed seasonal music for the assembled guests.

Attendee Paul Rose won a raffle which organizers used the proceeds from to cover costs of the event.

In a speech to the attendees Rose thanked the Wareham Police Department for their $500 donation to this year’s dinner as well as Home Depot and Starbucks for their donations. She also thanked Sharon Rice and the Council on Aging and all the volunteers who helped her put together the event. Rose also offered words of appreciation to the Wareham Elementary school students who donated a paper Christmas tree and handwritten cards for the seniors, veterans and those in need who attended on Saturday.

“That day just brought a lot of joy and happiness to me,” Rose said. “A couple of times I wanted to shed a little tear because it was so fulfilling, I touched other peoples lives which made me happy, and that, that makes my Christmas.”