PHS art students design Community Christmas Dinner placemats

This year’s Perry Community Christmas Dinner will feature placemats designed by Perry High School art students.

“We were looking for a way to get more focus on the ‘community’ aspect of the dinner,” said Community Christmas Dinner committee member Larry Meacham, so he and fellow committee member Deb Miller approached Perry High School art teacher Savannah Belgarde.

Belgarde devised a contest, and some 30 submissions were received from PHS art students. Participants received a certificate of appreciation.

“We selected the four that will be featured on the placemats, and they were awarded $50 in Perry Bucks for their effort,” Meacham said. “Selecting the four was a difficult task as there were so many good ones.”

All 30 of the placemat designs will be displayed at the Christmas dinner, said Miller, who “was very impressed with the talents all of these students displayed in their work.”

The placemats will also feature a brief history of the Perry Community Christmas Dinner:

This dinner was begun in 2006 by a small group of people to provide dinner and socialization in a friendly and inviting atmosphere for any members of the community that wish to participate. This is a community and people-driven event, not tied to any specific
groups or organizations, rather one developed, staffed and supported by a broad spectrum of community people and businesses, giving back to and supporting others in the community.

About a dozen local supporters and sponsors are also listed and thanked on the placemats, and a general thank you to the Perry community sums up the Christmas spirit, “We rely on many volunteers to help with the preparation, serving and cleanup for this event. We are very thankful for all of these kind people.”