Gettysburg Community Dinner organizer Stephanie Auer is again putting on a free community event this Saturday, June 20th, at GARA Recreational Park.
The family event will be held from 1:00 – 9:00 pm and features barbecued foods, kids’ games, live music, an outdoor movie (Sandlot), miscellaneous vendors, and much more.
The theme is a 90’s party, and guests are encouraged to dress in 90’s fashion.
“We need to do everything we can to foster a community spirit and bring people together during these times”, says Auer, who has been working tirelessly to set up this event, which relies completely on sponsors, donations and volunteers to help organize, cook, shop, entertain and serve the guests attending the party. GARA’s director Dr. Al Moyer has donated the use of a substantial portion of the Gettysburg Rec Park, including the amphitheater.
Stephanie started the free Community Dinner series last year at Thanksgiving, initially planning to cook a few dozen dinners to help struggling families, but ended up drawing more than 1,000 people. The high turnout demonstrated the rising needs in our community due to increased cost of living and cuts to social services to low income families. Auer and her team of volunteers followed up with a highly successful Christmas dinner, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus and toys for the kids. Earlier this year, she organized an Easter Dinner and egg hunt. These now eagerly anticipated holiday events are made possible by local organizations donating space; as well as residents and local businesses donating food, decorations, toys, and volunteering their time.
Auer’s initial goal was to provide holiday dinners and celebrations to families in need and folks who don’t have anyone to celebrate with. But all are welcome, says Stephanie, as the main intent is to bring the community together and to help people connect.
The organizers are still looking for additional vendors, volunteers, and donations of burgers, charcoal for the grill, condiments, pork and beans, and paper goods. If you would like to help with this worthwhile cause, please contact Stephanie at 717-420-3036 or joeswife111@yahoo.com; or Donate Gardner at dvbgardner@gmail.com or Facebook Messenger.
