The annual Bandera Family Christmas Dinner brought plenty of holiday cheer to over 3,000 people at two locations in Broome County.  A complete Christmas dinner was served at the American Legion Post 80 at 76 Main Street in Binghamton and the Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome in Endicott.

Estimates of over 200 people volunteered their time to prepare and serve meals to all who attended.  There was no charge for the complete dinner featuring turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and stuffing along with assorted cookies and desserts.

Volunteers ranged from retirees, students, operating personnel at both locations and many others.  I spoke with a couple from New Jersey at the Boys and Girls Club in Endicott who were visiting family locally and came along to help.  16 members of the Union-Endicott Cheerleading Team helped serve meals in Endicott.  It was a touching day for those attending...not just for a wonderful holiday dinner, but also seeing so many giving up a large portion of their Christmas to make it a wonderful day for others.

Bill Bandera continues a tradition his parents started back in 1989.  He and his family continue to work relentlessly to make it happen.  For years the only location for the dinner was at the American Legion in Binghamton.  This was the third year that the Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome was a site.  This was the largest turnout there over those three years.

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