When Carl Stewart and his late wife, Cindy, joined with friends and family to make a Sunday dinner at Opportunity House in 2003, they were not expecting the shelter to become a part of their Christmas traditions.
But the next year, the couple decided to serve Christmas Eve dinner to the shelter’s clients as a way of honoring the memory of their son Jason A. Stewart, 24, who was murdered that year in a domestic violence incident.
While their son never stayed at Opportunity House, Stewart said, throughout his life he used social services like those offered by the shelter.
Since Opportunity House was close to their home, the Stewarts decided to make serving the Christmas Eve meal an annual family activity, he said.
After his wife died in 2019, Stewart began dedicating the Christmas Eve dinner to the memory of Jason and Cindy.
“I love the joy of serving and helping others,” the self-described cooking enthusiast said. “It’s a rewarding experience, and it makes us smile to see people enjoying the food we serve.”
This year, the group served a traditional dinner of turkey, ham, sides and desserts to about 85 individuals, including families and military veterans.
Christmas Eve dinner is just one of the meals Stewart and his group serve at the shelter each year.
The group also cooks and serves dinner to shelter clients on the fourth Sunday of every month.
Source: Berkshire mont
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