Volunteers Spend Christmas Serving Hundreds of Needy Metro Families

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Despite the winter weather, many volunteers spent their Christmas serving numerous Oklahoma families in need.

The Red Andrews' Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center has been serving Christmas dinner to needy families for 50 years.

Debbie Yoeckel woke up before sunrise Friday and said nothing, not even the treacherous road conditions, could keep her from volunteering for seven years now.

"It was a little bit of a challenge and I did go ‘aah, aah,' and my husband said I'm going to take you home, but he didn't thank goodness," Yoeckel said.

Mike Anderson also lent a helping hand even before he sliced into pies at the dinner.

"I got to help out a couple of boys in blue. Our police force who was stuck trying to get to an accident, and I had a four-wheeler Tahoe that weighs a lot and just got about anywhere. So it was really easy to give a little assistance on the way," Anderson said.

With colorful desserts, hot meals and all the holiday fixings, for many metro families, the dinner was a very special gathering.

"I'm a grandpa and I know how much little kids love Christmas, and some of these children don't have a Christmas at home and this is where they get it," Anderson said.

The Christmas dinner was named after the man who started it all five decade ago, Red Andrews, and to this day, his niece Betty McCord and the gang hold on to the holiday tradition.

"My entire family is here keeping this going and some have been here for a long time," McCord said.

As the family feast continued throughout the years, volunteers said it's the many faces of the children, after visiting with Santa or picking up a present, that makes it all worthwhile.

"They get so excited and everyone's treated with such respect. I love that," Yoeckel said.