KAMLOOPS — It was a feast for the masses.
“There’s probably about 30 turkeys that were cooked Tuesday and de-boned.” said retired School District 73 superintendent Karl deBruijn.
NorKam Senior Secondary School’s annual Christmas luncheon Wednesday afternoon remains one of the most popular, and yummy events, at the school.
“The fact our student attendance is about 98% today and our staff attendance is 100% today tells us this has a really meaningful impact on our school and the broader community,” said Jonathan Brady, Principal for NorKam Senior Secondary.
Every year more than 800 people, including students, community members, and staff, attend the special Christmas lunch, with preparations beginning at least two weeks in advance.
“Yesterday there was probably 10 to 12 people who worked all day prepping,” said deBruijn.
DeBruijhn is one of 50 volunteer cooks and helpers who make the event possible.
It’s fast-paced work, and he loves it.
“It’s so much fun,” said deBruijhn. “I was a superintendent so I’m used to pressure. Plus we have a family of about 36 that come for Christmas every year so I do a good part of the prepping for that.”
The Christmas luncheon began when Principal Jonathan Brady arrived at the school four years ago.
“We started this in my last school,” said Brady. “We had a discussion about it as an administration staff and we felt we could pull it off. It really builds a school community, it builds a sense of thankfulness and really it is to provide kids’ an opportunity to have a Christmas dinner for those who don’t have a chance to.”
“It’s just really nice of all these people to come out and help and make that happen,” said Gr.12 student Keira Neighbour. “For a lot of these kids they wouldn’t otherwise be able to have a Christmas dinner,” said Gr.12 student Keira Neighbour.
A turkey dinner surrounded by friends.
It’s a Christmas tradition Nor-Kam teens will be counting down to once again next year.
