The countdown to Christmas continues as one Weyburn family prepares to feed lonely people on Christmas Day.

"JAMS Christmas Dinner is all about family and trying to give people a place to go when they have no one to share that special day with for Christmas Day. It's just a chance for people not to be alone. We want them to have somebody to spend time with, to have a meal with," explained Sandy Johnson, Founder of the JAMS Christmas Dinner.

"2003 was the first year we did it, we've skipped a couple of years over the last fifteen years."

Johnson started JAMS with her family to make a new memory after the death of her first husband Daryl Spencer who passed away St Patricks Day, 2003.

The JAMS Christmas dinner doors open at 12 pm on Christmas day with the meal at 1 pm.

"People can come in for a coffee and visit before dinner."

JAMS also provides meals for people who are unable to come to the dinner due to mobility.

There's music, door prizes and there is no cost to those who come for dinner.

Donations come in from the community to help cover the costs for the meal.

"A lot of people don't feel comfortable not paying, so when they want to pay we say whatever you want to donate."

Johnson added that any amount can be donated to the recommended amount of $10.

"If you're not able to pay that amount, that's okay."

This year donations are going to the family of Kevin and Crystal Cornish to help pay bills as their six-month-old son has recently had heart surgery and is currently in Edmonton Hospital.

JAMS Christmas Dinner is a family run event but they also need volunteers to help set up on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

"Christmas Eve is a really big day as we have to set up everything because we don't just use a lot of paper plates and stuff. We actually use linings and China, and silverware so there is a lot of set up. We make it pretty fancy so we do like to have volunteers. That's our biggest day for volunteers. Anywhere from 10 o'clock to 2'o clock in the afternoon, we do the setup."

"Anybody wanting to volunteer either Christmas Eve Day or Christmas Day just give me a call 842-8665, but please do that after 5 pm as I do have a daytime job," said
Johnson.

Last years JAMS Christmas Dinner served 150 people including the deliveries to individuals unable to leave their house.

JAMS Christmas Dinner 2016, courtesy of Sandy Johnson