Derry group plans Christmas dinner giveaway

A group of Derry residents who helped make Thanksgiving happier for those in need are doing the same thing for Christmas.

Derry Area School Board member Sean M. Kemmerer and Larry and Jessica Gray, owners of Taps N’ At restaurant, started a donation drive to buy more than 150 Christmas dinners.

“That’s what it’s all about, especially around this time of year,” Kemmerer said.

The trio brainstormed a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway last month, which was very successful, Kemmerer said.

The success inspired them to start a new organization, the Derry Area Philanthropy Committee, dedicated to helping the community.

They helped with Trib Total Media’s “Operation Santa Claus,” which provides groceries and children’s books to families in need.

Kemmerer and his band Walk of Shame participated in a livestream “Christmas on the Frontlines” concert last week, which raised more than $1,000 for health care workers.

The committee’s next project: making sure families in need have a Christmas meal.

Donations have been coming in steadily, Kemmerer said.

“I’ve seen the community come together so much to support those families in need,” he said. “It’s kind of ballooned pretty quickly.”

The committee will hand out meals on Christmas Eve at Taps N’ At restaurant from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The meals include ham, lasagna, pasta salad, corn, salad, rolls and dessert.

Those interested in receiving a meal should contact the Derry Area Philanthropy Committee through the organization’s Facebook page.

The committee’s effort is one of several local Christmas meal drives this year. Sharky’s Restaurant in Unity raised money to provide 450 meals to area residents.