Annual Christmas dinner will honour late councillor

This year, the No One Eats Alone Dinner will honour late Sudbury city councillor Michael Vagnini, who died in February.

Known for love of the community and his flashy suits, Vagnini founded the annual dinner eight years ago after he heard that many were alone at Christmas.

Tears were shed and there was a moment of silence for Michael Vagnini following a spaghetti dinner that opened the annual Beaver Lake Winter Carnival. The carnival's fireworks display was also dedicated to the late city councillor. (File Photo)

Caroline Susteric, a close friend of the Vagnini family, begun organizing the dinner in 2015.

"It was very important to Michael," Susteric said.

"I helped him a lot with his election stuff and his campaigning and, he just has fantastic ideas, and I just thought what a great thing to do."

She said it was important for her and the family to keep the event going in Vagnini’s absence.

"We had a meeting with the family and his two daughters," Susteric said.

"They said, 'would you be willing to do it again this year?' And we said, ‘that's up to you, but we will do it if you want it.'"

Vagnini’s daughters, Erin and Alison, will be speaking at the dinner.

Susteric said there's no dress code for the dinner and the goal is for everyone to have a relaxing evening. Walk-ins are welcome.

"That's what how he would have wanted it," she said.

"We're keeping it that way for him."

This year’s dinner takes place Christmas Day at the Days Inn Sudbury (the former Northbury on Brady Street). Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with dinner served at 5 p.m. (Photo from video)

Currently, 100 people have registered and Susteric would like to see more. Fifty volunteers will be taking part, from serving dinner to offering company for those sitting alone.

"What I found over the years, talking to people have come to the event, they've made friends, and they've returned," she said.

"It's fantastic that way. You know, it's hard to explain the feeling about how we all feel as a group helping and doing this."

Carol Gilbeau, a volunteer for three years, was a close friend, recalling how Vagnini went out of his way to ensure the volunteers felt important.

'Everybody was his friend'

"Everybody was his friend, you know, everybody felt like that," Gilbeau said.

"And he made you feel special."

In the past three years, she’s seen a lot of joy from those who would otherwise be alone. She said she often sees people older than 65 years old.

"You meet a lot of different people that really bring home the fact that this is what Christmas really does mean," she said.

"It's a gathering of happy souls. Everybody gets to enjoy different people's experiences and we as volunteers get to be a part of that."

The event started with 124 people its first year, growing to 350 at its peak. Susteric said that was largely due to the love Vagnini showed for the community.

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"Michael is a very generous person -- he would do anything for anybody," she said.

"So what I've gotten back this year is phenomenal. Unfortunately, it's sad, but people have been fantastic because he helped so many people in the city and now they're giving it back to him. They knew that this day meant the world to him."

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 25. Admission is $15, but participants can contribute more to help someone in need afford a meal.

For reservations, contact Susteric at 705-561-5440.