T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Karen Swan makes a plate for people in need at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Christmas Day.

WHEELING — After Santa came down the chimney, he went to Wheeling Island for one last opportunity to spread holiday cheer.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church held its annual free Christmas Day dinner for the community.

Head volunteer Rick Daugherty said that Wednesday’s dinner is an honored Wheeling Island tradition dating back 30 years.

“What we’re doing here today is we’re demonstrating God’s love in a particular way,” Daugherty said. “We’re serving people who are maybe less fortunate than us, who can use a little help.”

He added that not only did he spend his Christmas Day volunteering at the event, but his grandchildren Danielle, Natalie, and Josie Daugherty also gave up their holiday to volunteer.

The free dinner lasted from noon until 3 p.m. and featured several dishes donated from a mix of local establishments and residents.

Daugherty said that St. Luke’s Episcopal Church isn’t the church that he attends but that hasn’t stopped him from spending the past 28 Christmases at the church volunteering. His friend, the late minister Jim Kelly, was the creator of the event and Daugherty believes that he is carrying the torch in a way that he would be proud of.

“Jim has met his reward but he was a tremendous guy with a huge heart,” Daugherty said. “… This has always been his community, and he was always taking care of the homeless and the underserved. I’m just trying to be half the man that he was.”

He added that the event spawned from a conversation Kelly and he had nearly 30 years ago. According to Daugherty, Kelly would host weekly dinners called “Soup on Saturdays” and he told Daugherty that he wanted to do a Christmas dinner. Daugherty agreed that the two should host a free Christmas meal.

“Jim has always done ‘Soup on Saturdays’ and he fed anybody on the Island who would want to come in for a soup and a sandwich on Saturdays. It was a really big thing,” he said.

Volunteers and attendees weren’t the only ones spending their time at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Once he wrapped up his sleigh ride around the world, the one and only big man in red spent his Christmas afternoon handing out dinners and talking to the attendees at the church’s dinner.

Santa Mike said he has spent his last five Christmas days volunteering at the dinner.

“It’s a wonderful activity. I come every year. The people at St. Luke feed the less advantaged wonderful meals with desserts and everything, It’s just a great kindness,” he said. “Even though I had a busy Christmas Eve, I always like to stop and spend some time and talk with everybody. It’s always a delight, these folks do a wonderful job.”

He added that after the dinner ended he planned on heading back to the North Pole and resting.

“We celebrate this time of the year because of a great gift, the birth of Jesus,” he said.

Santa Mike added that although the birth of Jesus is the reason for the season he loves seeing the children get their own special gifts and getting to see the joy on their faces when they open their presents.

“I always tell the boys and girls it’s about giving on Christmas not getting but they’ll get plenty of presents,” he said.