AUGUSTA -- Harry Heidelmark used to work as a delivery truck dispatcher.

So he was right at home at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church today overseeing a volunteer operation of drivers dropping off Christmas Day meals and picking up those who wanted to attend the community dinner offered by the church.

By 11 a.m., Heidelmark said, his volunteer crew had dropped off 142 meals to mostly elderly residents throughout Augusta and much of Kennebec County. The volunteers were prepared to distribute up to 200 holiday servings of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and more.

For more than 20 years, the Prince of Peace church has sponsored this Christmas Day community dinner. Dozens of residents visit the church on Eastern Avenue for a meal, camaraderie and the opportunity to pick out something special from a room full of donated gifts.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan
DISHING UP DINNER: Cindy Merrill, of Augusta, left, and Arlene Innes, of Wayne, serve up a turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Thursday at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Augusta.