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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, December 22, 2011 · 8 Vogts give Christmas dinner to Salvation Army By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Adrian Vogt, his family and Oakville catering company understand that financial hardships could hit anyone. But that doesn't mean those same individuals should be left without a hot Christmas dinner. To ensure everyone has access to a turkey dinner, Vogt's catering company, Trident Catering, hosted its 10th annual Salvation Army Christmas Fellowship Dinner. "I always believe in giving back, so does my wife," he said. "We have it nice. We are a middle-income family. I've heard some stories in the early years when I was introduced to the old (Salvation Army) Lighthouse. I talked to some people and some of them were in my position or even better off. They had an accident, lost income, lost the house and lost everything. "We've seen the numbers (of dinner guests) increasing since the recession hit," he noted. So on Monday, Vogt and a team of volunteers, including his family members, catering staff, representatives from the Salvation Army and his clients served hot plates of food to more than 200 guests at St. Paul's United Church. In past years, Oakville's MPP Kevin Flynn and MP Terence Young have helped serve. "When everybody gives a little bit, we're much better off," Vogt said. "I'm a strong believer that we're only as strong as our weakest link. You always have to help out the less fortunate to make a stronger society, a stronger country and a stronger village -- like Oakville." Guests were invited by the local Salvation Army; many having received support from the organization -- children and youths, families, seniors and single adults. Vogt calls the dinner a Christmas gift to everyone living in the community. "This is our family Christmas gift to the Salvation Army," he said. "My wife and I, we don't give gifts to each other. The kids just get small gifts because the Salvation Army is our Christmas gift." The past dinners have seen many volunteers, sometimes more than are needed, but Vogt says that's a good thing. "I never say no to anybody who wants to help out. When you live in Oakville or Mississauga, you never see the real issues. Here, you get to talk to people and then the donations go up," he said -- further, people will learn about the work of the Salvation Army in the community. Vogt noted that Oakville has a large homeless population, but it is hidden. "People are not oblivious to that," he said of the homelessness. "Everyone wants to help, but when it comes to helping, they say, `not in my neighbourhood'." STEVEN DER-GARABEDIAN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER CHRISTMAS DINNER: Jason Pinto peeks at his serving of potatoes Monday evening at St. Paul's Church during the Salvation Army's Christmas Fellowship Dinner. This is the 10th annual dinner held by the organization with Chef Adrian Vogt and Trident Catering taking care of the dinner. BO OXI XING WEEK SALE SA BOXING Dec 27-31, 2011 75% OFF QEW N Fairview St. Walkers Line Cumberland Guelph Line UP TO Closed o ed ose ed Dec De D ec e c2 26 6th 6th 3300 00 Fairview Fairview St. · 905-639 9-20 -2016 www.bosandco www. .bosandco.com .com Footwear X New St Mon - Wed 10am - 6pm, Thurs - Fri 10am - 8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm