Rohr family sets the table for a Yuletide family meal like no other
On Sunday, Dec. 22 from 4-8 p.m. at Killbuck VFW, the extended Rohr family will host a free dinner to anyone and everyone who wants to share in a meal and fellowship. The family felt blessed by the community years ago when facing hardships and chose to give back instead of give gifts to one another this Christmas.
Family gatherings are always a big part of making Christmas special, with plenty of food, banter and socializing around the table with games, providing plenty of fond memories.
However, one area family is going to be much larger this year, growing from its usual 50 and multiplying by what they hope will be eightfold or more.
The Rohr family, 50-strong and counting, will pool its finances and resources to present a community meal at Killbuck VFW on Sunday, Dec. 22 from 4-8 p.m. for any community member who might be missing time with their own family members or for anyone who may not be able to afford a Christmas dinner.
The idea to host a community Christmas dinner began out of the Rohr family’s gratitude to the community when many years ago their matriarch and patriarch, Paul and Carolyn Rohr, fell upon hard times when Carolyn passed away and many of their seven children were still in school.
It was during that time the community showed its compassion toward the family and lifted their spirits in many ways.
The Rohr children, including brothers Matt, Mitch and Monte and sisters Malinda, Miranda, Michelle and Melissa, never forgot the way the community reached out in love and compassion and have shared that story with their own children throughout the years.
Nate, son of Monte, came up with the idea of rather than spend money on Christmas gifts for one another, the family should pool its resources and reach out to other community members who might be lonely or without a Christmas meal this Christmas.
“When we came up with this idea, the people at the forefront of my heart were those without family to celebrate Christmas with,” Rohr said. “I feel more loved than I ever have. I have my wonderful family and my faith. I can’t imagine going through Christmas without my family with me. That would be depressing, and we wanted to create something where people could simply come enjoy a meal and be with our family for Christmas. Hopefully, we will brighten their holiday.”
The extended family spent time together planning out the event, each deciding to bring various foods including the main course of chili and potato soup, along with cornbread, plenty of desserts and other food that will set the table for a festive meal.
The Rohrs aren’t thinking small when it comes to preparing, getting ready to serve more than 400 meals for what they hope will be a monumental celebration with a newer and much larger family this Christmas.
While the food is a focal point, what Nate Rohr said was more important was creating the feeling of belonging for those who might not have a lot or for those who don’t have family or have family too far away to rejoice with this Christmas.
“We are so blessed to have this huge, close-knit family, and we want to share the happiness and love we share with others,” Rohr said. “We felt like we already have everything we want and didn’t see a need to give each other more gifts and instead would like to give back to the community that cared for this family in a time of great need. I hope we have so many people stop by that we run out of food and have to go get more somewhere.”
Melissa Biltz, one of the seven siblings, said the family won’t ever forget the feeling of compassion they received during the difficult time when their mother passed away.
“It was last Christmas when Nathan came up with the idea that instead of spending money on ourselves, we give back to the community,” Biltz said. “This community reached out to us in love in such incredible ways when we were kids, and to be able to give back in some way is exciting to all of us. The people in the school district and the people of Killbuck and Glenmont were so giving that it made a huge impact on us when we were younger, and we have tried to pass that gratitude and this story along to all of our own children.”
The Rohr family is hoping Killbuck VFW is filled with people and the Christmas spirit for an evening of food and fellowship. In doing so, they have shown thinking of others rather than inwardly can be one of the most precious gifts anyone can give.