Photos

Harper Tassy, 7, joins hands with a circle of other volunteers for final announcements and Prayer Circle before Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Volunteers join hands in a circle for prayer before Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Volunteers serve up plates of holiday food at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Volunteer McKenzie Miller serves Christmas dinner to Donald Melton, 30, at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Volunteer Marianne Gallagher serves plates of Christmas dinner at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

L-r volunteer server Willie Engram (CQ) chats with Gerald Bruce at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

L-r volunteer server Willie Engram (CQ) chats with Gerald Bruce at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Volunteer server Willie Engram makes sure everything is alright with Lonzo McAllister, 2, who was at the event with his mother Glorie Banks at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Attendee Ulysses Mims (facing camera) hugs his server, volunteer Steve Heidorn, at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. (The two met the night before at Elevation Church. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

David Weeks is served by volunteer Kem Miller at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Volunteer McKenzie Miller serves Charles Hardy at the "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Rashaun Dixon serves dessert to David Langford, 36, at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Christina Wilkins (left) got a teddy bear given away by Charlotte Rescue Mission for her son Mark Lewis, Jr., 3 weeks (here held by Christina's sister Dee Anderson at right) at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Glorie Banks is served by volunteer Marianne Gallagher at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Glorie Banks helps son Lonzo McAllister, 2, put salt on his Christmas dinner at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Dressing served up at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Green beans refilled on the food line at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Volunteers serve up plates of holiday food at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Executive Director Rev. Tony Marciano said that Charlotte Rescue Mission wants the event to be "like coming home for Christmas" and like "dining in one of Charlotte's finest restaurants, with Matre d' , hostess, cloth napkins, tablecloths, decorations and well-dressed waiters and waitresses." He also said the warmth of the event can encourage some attendees to take a first step towards getting into the free 90-day Christian residential program at Charlotte Rescue Mission and getting their lives back together. "It's much more than a turkey and a ham dinner," he said. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Andreia Loveland, 50, and son David Loveland, 24, dine together at Friday's "Community Christmas Day Extravaganza" Christmas meal served Christmas Day at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Charlotte Rescue Mission annually serves hundreds of chronically homeless people Christmas dinner. The event began from 6 am-7:30 am with a hot breakfast and movies shown in the chapel and classroom from 6 am-3 pm. Cell phones were available from 8:30 am-3 pm and the mid day Christmas meal was served from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. DIEDRA LAIRD-dlaird@charlotteobserver.com