GLOVERSVILLE - Organizers of the 12th annual Christmas dinner at Sacred Heart Church said this year they expect to distribute more than 1,000 meals to homes across the area.

Organizer Donald Fleischut said the meal has grown every year, and this year, organizers believe they'll break the 1,000 mark in meals delivered. The effort is entirely volunteer-driven, from the purchased turkeys to the cooking of the meal to its delivery. The meal is free to anyone in the area who reserves one, Fleischut said.

This is the final year the event will take place in Sacred Heart, as the parish has merged with St. Mary of Mount Carmel on South Main Street to become the Church of the Holy Spirit.

Fleischut said about 30 kitchen volunteers arrive at the church at 6 a.m. to prepare the meals. More than 90 turkeys have been pre-cooked and frozen in anticipation, he said. The drivers, who usually number around 100, begin delivering the meals at about 9 a.m. The entire operation is finished by noon or so, he said.

In addition to the meal, recipients will receive a small gift bag with shampoo and soaps, Fleischut said, all of which is donated. The entire event costs about $4,000 to pull off, he said.

Some mistakenly believe the meals are only delivered to Gloversville residents, but that is far from the truth, Fleischut said.

"We've delivered to Dolgeville," he said. "We have never said no."

Fleischut's role organizing the meal takes place over several months. Volunteer Greg Gottung, who organizes the deliveries on Christmas morning, packs his efforts into an intense four hours. Due to recent back surgery, he will have a lot of help from Jim Sprung, another volunteer, Gottung said.

"We have about 90 drivers and only four hours, so naturally at the end it's a crunch," he said. "The kitchen we have is only about the size of the kitchen at your house, so it's very hard."

Gottung said he has been volunteering for years because he sees it as a worthwhile effort and believes in giving back, especially at Christmas.

"There are some elderly people in this area that wouldn't have a Christmas dinner," he said. "This way they get a hot dinner and a friendly face saying hello."

Gottung said the organization and the event itself are done by a large group that is a lot like a big extended family. Many of the same faces come back every year, he said. Newcomers are always welcome, though.

"I can't say enough about these people who come back every year and do it," he said. "More volunteers are always welcome. There's always something to do."

Those interested in driving can simply arrive at the church Christmas morning. To request a meal be delivered, call 773-7082.

Kayleigh Karutis covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com.