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Trumbull families come together

Group helps others by putting on annual Christmas dinner

Tribune Chronicle / Renee Fox From left, Larry Bumbico, 6, Anthony Bumbico, 4, and Eloise Bumbico, 5, get a hug from Santa Claus (Shawn Finegan) at the 29th annual Families Helping Families free Christmas dinner Monday at Aulizio’s Banquet Center in Warren.

WARREN — It started with a handful of donated, homemade turkeys and fixings.

Now, 29 years into the Families Helping Families annual Christmas dinner, the logistics may have changed, but the spirit hasn’t.

“The first year we were all peeling potatoes. The way to help was to cook a turkey at home and bring it for us to serve here at Aulizio’s — Cesar Aulizio donates the hall,” said Dan Polivka, the event’s organizer and Trumbull County commissioner. “But we’ve got a bit bigger since then.”

The banquet center still donates the hall, but now to accommodate as many as 600 servings — some delivered to people at home — the event is catered.

“We couldn’t do this without a great group of volunteers who come out here on Christmas every year to give to others. It is really amazing to see people coming together,” said Polivka, who said he modeled the bash after one a friend of his threw in Youngstown.

The public is invited to come together for the free dinner every year, which features a myriad of desserts, a visit from Santa Claus, gifts, balloon animals, live music and toys for the kids.

“We see people from all walks of life, from people who are in need, to people who just don’t want to be alone on Christmas,” said Ken Kubala, a 17-year volunteer and Trumbull County employee.

Eva Carpenter said she came to the dinner for the first time Monday because she heard “beautiful” reviews of the community gathering and has know Polivka since they were children, so she thought she would come “check up” on him.

“I’m blown away. This really is something. My family celebrates on Christmas Eve and I’m not able to cook so much anymore, so it’s nice to come here and have this experience and good food,” Carpenter said.

Volunteers, about 25 of them, helped pass out toys to kids, cook, clean and serve.

Danielle Polivka has grown up with the holiday tradition her father started.

“I’ve spent every single Christmas here. Now that I’m older, I volunteer and help out. I used to wear an elf costume and help Santa,” Danielle Polivka said. “I’ve created bonds with people over the years and I just love to see the smiling faces of the little kids when they see Santa.”

Smiling as she looked around the room, Faith McCarty said she came to the dinner for a second year because it makes her spirit feel lifted to see the hustle and bustle and look of joy on everyone’s face.

“I am so grateful to be able to come to this. I don’t have to prepare anything; I don’t have to pay for it and there are friendly people here. It puts a smile on my face,” McCarty said.

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