Center on Halsted hosted an annual Christmas dinner this past Sunday bringing more than 70 LGBT seniors and other community members together.
"The event is open to anyone in the community looking for a warm meal, new friends and good conversation," said Britta Larson, the center's director of senior services. "We strive to create a sense of family through our Senior Programs and I think it's particularly important that we invite our seniors to come together and join us for a special celebration on Christmas Day."
This year's event, which MillerCoors sponsored, featured food from Mariano's Fresh Market. The Christmas dinner has become an annual tradition at Center on Halsted. To the delight of the attendees, a special musical performance with classically trained volunteer pianists and vocalists took place following the dinner.
Marc Lawrence, 67, of Edgewater attended the celebration with his sister Sharon, who has aphasia, a degenerative disease that can affect language ability.
"My sister just moved into a nursing home," he said. "We wouldn't have any place to go if it wasn't for the xenter. We got to see friends we haven't seen in years. [The dinner] was a place to exchange Christmas cards and greetings because this is what family does. And the people there are my adopted family."
As for the food, Lawrence said it was all good, but, in particular, "the ham was fabulous."
Center on Halsted hosts senior lunches at noon every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.centeronhalsted.org .
