- Last Updated on Thursday, 30 November 2017 00:20
The members and guests who attended the annual holiday luncheon held on November 20 enjoyed an afternoon of great food, meaningful story-telling and wonderful gifts of all kinds!
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| Rev. Ken Thompson receives a Certificate of Appreciation. |
Contromano’s Italian Restaurant, 411 Fallowfield Ave., proved once again to be the perfect place for this event.
After a blessing by the Rev. Ken Thompson, attendees satisfied their taste buds with delicious Italian cuisine items chosen from the menu. Following the mealtime, Rev. Thompson, president of the program committee and coordinator of the monthly program meetings, thanked everyone for their support of the year’s activities and commitment to the mission of the Society.
Leota Voelker, Board secretary, read a devotion by Ruth Graham titled “A Special Christmas Story” and then shared “A Christmas Prayer,” written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Leota next had different people draw tickets to see who would win the various baskets that members of the Board had put together for this traditional part of the luncheon.
Board chairperson Nikki Sheppich and Rev. Thompson each gave members of the Board gifts in appreciation for their service to the Society. Sheppich also held drawings for gift bag door prizes for everyone who had yet to win a something. No one left empty handed!
To close the festivities, Rev. Thompson again thanked everyone for how they supported him over the 4-5 years that he coordinated the monthly program meetings and scheduling of speakers, reminding them that the luncheon would be his last event. He and his wife, Karen, moved to Erie, PA, in May. When a Board member expressed his appreciation for Thompson’s years of service, even after moving twice (after his retirement), Rev. Thompson shared his hope has always been that Charleroi could make a comeback and be the town that it once was and still can be.
The Board members then surprised Rev. Thompson with a gift basket, a gift card and a framed Certificate of Appreciation. He was genuinely surprised and thanked them for their thoughtfulness.
All left the luncheon with the Spirit of the upcoming Christmas holiday.
