Bandera Family Christmas Dinner Brings Joy to Thousands

The 25th Annual Bandera Family Christmas Dinner provided a full-course meal for hundreds of Southern Tier residents yesterday.  Close to three thousand people were estimated to have taken part in the community gathering.  The majority of those who attended went to American Legion Post 80 on Main Street in Binghamton.  Over 100 visited the Girls and Boys Club of Western Broome where Union-Endicott cheerleaders helped greet diners and led cheers to provide a little extra energy to the day.

Organizer Bill Bandera, who has carried on his family's tradition of serving a free Christmas dinner to anyone regardless of income, says the community's support of the event has been overwhelming.  Along with dozens of volunteers who helped cook, serve and deliver meals. Bandera says individuals and area businesses stepped forward to cover an estimated $8,000 in expenses to continue the tradition this year.

Meals included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and an assortment of desserts.  The dinner made Christmas even more enjoyable for those who visited and for those volunteers who gave up precious family time to give others a very Merry Christmas.