Dinner serves nearly 8,000 people

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Volunteers served Christmas Dinner to some 8,000 people at the Red Andrews dinner in Oklahoma City. <br/><br/>Thousands lined up at the Cox Convention Center for a hot meal and a gift.

Sunday, December 26th 2004, 5:19 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Volunteers served Christmas Dinner to some 8,000 people at the Red Andrews dinner in Oklahoma City.

Thousands lined up at the Cox Convention Center for a hot meal and a gift.

The dinner was started by long-time state representative and boxing promoter Red Andrews. The first dinner served about 100 people, and it has grown steadily over the years.

More than 500 volunteers prepared about 2,500 pounds of turkey, 2,000 pounds of dressing, potatoes and green beans, 250 pounds of cranberry sauce and 2,000 loaves of bread, along with 3,000 pints of milk, soda and coffee.

Betty McCord, Andrews' niece, has organized the dinner since 1977.

She says it wouldn't be possible without donations of time and money from people across the state.