Christmas meal brings people together for more than just food

In its 14th year, Rick's Family and Friends Christmas Celebration Meal has grown into its new home at the National Guard Armory.

Started by Rick Aeppli and his family in 2000, the meal has grown exponentially each year. This year, the Aepplis and their volunteers prepared for more than 250 guests.

Rick's daughter Demi, who was about 7 years old when they first started serving the annual meal, is now the coordinator.

"It's grown every year. We want the Lord to take the wheel," she said. "We want it to be what the Lord wants it to be, and we're satisfied with this."

As for who can come, Rick said the requirements are minimal.

"Anyone and everyone that could be blessed with a little joy, cheer, friendship and lots and lots of food," he said.

Rick was working for Labor Ready, a temporary employment company, when he was first inspired to cook a Christmas meal for those who are less fortunate.

But the meal is about more than just the food.

"This is all about Jesus," he said to the crowd. "This is about somebody loving you, and today, they used all of these people to let you know you are loved."

The first celebration was held in a building behind the K-Mart and 40 guests were served. The event has grown as needs throughout the community have grown and as others have stepped in to help.

The Aepplis started out-of-pocket but have since gotten help through donations and community support.

"I've personally been very humbled by it," Demi said. "We've had more volunteers than ever before."

She added that they've probably reached the point where they don't know what to do with everyone.

"But I'd rather have too many than not enough," Demi said. "The more the merrier."

Volunteers cook, serve and donate items for the "Backpack Giveaway," where backpacks are filled with food and necessities for the homeless and less fortunate in the region.

Rich Dettra, who helps organize the giveaway, said backpacks included wash cloths, flashlights and other accessories. He's been volunteering at the celebration meal for about eight years.

"Most places would have people who are getting the meal go through the line," he said. "Rick has people serving them, taking their order and waiting on them. A lot of times they'll sit down and talk to them, too."

To this end, many of the volunteers are delegated to directly serving the families.

"We want our guests to come and be served at a table and treated like family," Aeppli said. "Just like everyone should be treated on such a special day." Preparation for the meal began in August.

"I hear Christmas music in July," Demi said. "It's just prepping and making sure things are together."

The meal includes the traditional holiday fixings, but how do they know how much food to cook?

"We put up signs, and we look around the community," she said. "We just guess, really."

She said helping with the event each year has changed her perspective of people, and she's gotten to know people from all walks of life.

"They're people, the same as we are," she said. "It's definitely one of my favorite things I get to do during the year because I don't know these people, but I get to."

The meal is meant to be a day for people to change their outlooks on their lives and where the community comes together as a family.

The Aepplis have no plans to pull the plug on their growing tradition.

"I don't have a choice to stop," Rick said. "Even if I wanted to, even if I had a bad year, which we did, God supplies everything."