Jimmy Murphey to Thank Volunteers

By Justin Vick, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.; Cabarrus Neighbors -- May 18, 2006

More than 11,301 people were fed at Jimmy Murphey's annual Christmas Dinner, but he didn't do it alone.

Hundreds of volunteers cooked and served the meal, as well as delivered food to homebound residents in the Cabarrus County area.

Murphey will thank those volunteers at his annual Christmas Volunteers' Banquet at 5:30 p.m. June 3 at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County, 247 Spring St., Concord.

Murphey has sent out 650 invitations so far.

State Rep. Linda Johnson, R-Cabarrus, will attend the banquet as its keynote speaker.

"I'm very brave at times," Murphey said when asked how he lured the state official to the banquet. "I have met her a couple of times and she remembered me. She was so pleased over the work I do for the people here in North Carolina."

Murphey has organized his Christmas Dinner since the late 1960s. His mother started the tradition during the Great Depression and the event has ballooned into one of the region's largest one-day charitable events.

Murphey is thankful for his volunteers, especially Lucille Laughlin and Janie Evans, longtime helpers that have passed away since the last volunteer banquet.

"They were sweet people," Murphey said. "They worked with me for over 20-some years."

He is planning a special memorial at the banquet for them, and memorial candles will be lit for others who have recently died.

Special guests at the program include the Rev. John Ervin of Zion Hill AME Zion Church in Concord, the Rev. Quinten Paulson of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte and the Rev. Larry Irvin, a retired pastor from Concord.

Pianist Freda Peay, trumpeter Bryant Perry and the Piedmont Singing Men will provide music.

This year's theme will be "To Have and Have Not." Guests are asked to wear at least one of the banquet's theme colors of red, white and black.

Volunteers who did not receive an invitation are welcome and can bring a guest.

Details: (704) 782-9310 or (704) 795-6277.

Justin Vick: (704) 786-2185

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Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.