"Santa will be here – the real one!"

Pastor Darvin Jordan’s voice fills with excitement as he describes the plans for his agency’s first-ever Christmas Day dinner.

The challenge is in the planning: He doesn’t know how many people to expect.

"If we prepare for 400 and only 100 come, well, that’s a lot of turkey soup," he said.

"We’ve never done one on Christmas Day."

The meal is open to anyone who wants to come. Jordan expects some people far from their extended families, some needy families, the homeless and others who have lost a loved one recently and are struggling with facing the holidays.

No place to go

"Everyone’s welcome," he said. "It helps to know if people are coming."

Jordan expressed special concern for the homeless because the usual places they go during the day will be closed on Christmas.

"They’ll be cold," he said.

The dinner will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25, at 206 Peabody St., Port Angeles.

"We’re still looking for volunteers for the dinner," Jordan said.

"We always get plenty of servers," he said, but there’s a real need for help with food preparation and clean up."

Toys, too, are needed

Preparation will begin Dec. 24 and continue Christmas morning. Volunteers can prepare some things in their own homes if that works better for them.

Besides the need for volunteers, the agency’s toy collection is behind schedule. Jordan invites anyone planning to attend the dinner to bring a toy that Santa will distribute to children when he makes his appearance.

Toy donations also can be dropped off at the Salvation Army offices at 206 S. Peabody St. To sign up for dinner or to volunteer, call 452-7679.

Reach Sandra Frykholm at sandralfrykholm@olypen.com.