As 9-year-old volunteer Kristian Gainey helped serve food to more than 1,000 people on Wednesday as part of the annual Well in the Desert holiday meal, he shared a simple sentiment held by many at the event.
“I like helping people and it feels good, and it’s kind of fun,” Kristian said as he served sandwiches as part of an assembly line with his mother and two older sisters.
The Gaineys were part of a 200-strong volunteer group serving food and smiles to those less fortunate this holiday season. The event, held at the Palm Springs Convention Center, is aimed at community members who may be homeless or families or seniors struggling to put food on the table.
Denise Haslam, left, of Palm Springs and her neighbor, Ursula Serpico, smile as they help serve food at the Well in the Desert Christmas event Wednesday.
But just like Kristian, the volunteers also get a lot out of the experience.
“To watch their faces as they come in and hear them say how much they appreciate the food and see all the seats fill up really touches my heart,” said Denise Haslam of Palm Springs, who handed out cranberry sauce and volunteered at the event since its founding almost 20 years ago.
The hot meal consisted of all the holiday staples: turkey, ham, green beans, carrots, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and a piece of cake to top it off. All the food came from donations, and Savory’s restaurant and catering service in Palm Springs provided the facilities for all the cooking.
Mitch Battersby, a private chef in Palm Springs, was the event’s food director and made sure everything ran smoothly as a total of about 1,200 people made their way through four buffet lines.
He said this event means a lot to him.
“For me, food is love,” Battersby said. “So it’s about making sure everyone has a full stomach and they feel like they’re guests, like in a nice restaurant. Just trying to make them feel good, feel special.”
One family felt that love was the McCalebs as mother Akimmie sat at one of the tables in the grand ballroom, surrounded by her three children, all decked out in red and green Christmas threads.
She said the day was a full-circle moment.
Akimmie McCaleb of Cathedral City takes a piece of pie from a volunteer server as she enjoys her meal with her family.
“The reason I come to events like this is because we were homeless at one point, so to get back on your feet shows that there is a good opportunity, and I want my family to do that when you get back on your feet . That’s why I take my kids to these events,” Akimmie said. “I know a lot of people are depressed, out of jobs, out of homes, and I want my kids to appreciate the good things in life.”
The meal is the most important part of the event, but there were also numerous activities and Christmas moments to put a smile on the children’s faces.
There is the ultimate moment when every child got to sit on Santa’s lap and received a wrapped present, as well as face painting, an indoor snowball fight, cuddly dogs provided by Animal Samaritans of the Desert for petting, crafting and an ubiquitous wizard dressed in a blue, white and silver cloak glowing with Christmas lights and handing out balloon animal hats.
Matt Naylor, president of Well in the Desert, said more than just a meal is an important part of the day.
Jacie Kopstien, 10, of Palm Desert clears the stuffed animal area before it opens so children can pick up presents.
“We want the kids and the families to feel special,” said Naylor, who has been a part of the event for 16 years. “For many of them it is rare to celebrate something together where they do not have to think about money. And that is possible thanks to this community through donations and volunteer work. Creating this village where we come together as one community to help those less fortunate. That’s the magical part of this.”
Kristian’s mother, Khalia Gainey, who volunteered with her three children, said she had to hold back tears a few times as she saw the smiles on the faces of children and families as she added cranberries to their plates.
“When I was a kid, my parents always instilled in me that as you get older and you are able to give back with your time or money, you should always look for ways to do it,” said Gainey, a Desert Hot Springs Manager. native who was accompanied by 9-year-old Kristian, her 13-year-old daughter and her eldest daughter home from college in Arizona State. “I try to instill that in my kids and this event. I mean, it’s emotional here today and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
9-year-old Kristian Gainey of Desert Hot Springs serves sandwiches to guests while volunteering at the event with his mother and siblings.
Shad Powers is a columnist for The Desert Sun. Reach him at shad.powers@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 1,200 gather for Well in the Desert Christmas party in Palm Springs
