PITTSFIELD — When asked to name their favorite part of volunteering at the Christian Center on Christmas Eve, Amanda Masoero and Katie Lefkowitz answered in perfect sync: “Doing it together.”

Instead of spending Christmas Eve curled up by the fireplace with a mug of cocoa, they were two of about 20 local volunteers who showed up at the Christian Center on Wednesday morning to pack Christmas meals for community members in need. This year, the Christian Center will be providing meals to 118 residents throughout Pittsfield and Dalton in lieu of the local Meals on Wheels program, which pauses for the holiday.

Volunteers separate plastic bags at the Christian Center in preparation for packaging Christmas meals. “We want to help this community in any way we possibly can," said Jason Cuyler, president of the Christian Center’s board of directors.

“It’s just what we do here,” said Jason Cuyler, president of the Christian Center’s board of directors. “Whenever there’s a need, we’ll be there.”

It’s the second year the center has facilitated the annual program with the help of Elder Services of Berkshire County, taking over after the local Civitan Club discontinued their long-running Christmas meal deliveries.

While the food delivery itself is important, what brought many volunteers out was knowing that they could provide a bit of comfort and human connection by delivering meals to older adults who might otherwise feel especially alone during the holidays.

“It’s about letting them know that someone cares,” said Karen Ryan, food director and services coordinator. “They have a huge smile on their face when someone opens the door.”

“It’s very gratifying to put a smile on someone’s face,” agreed Sheriff Tom Bowler. He was one of several volunteers from the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office who arrived Wednesday to assist with the packaging and delivery of meals, which include turkey, a variety of side dishes, pie and candy for each recipient.

From left to right: Sheriff Tom Bowler, Food Director and Services Coordinator Karen Ryan, Finance Coordinator Pat Masoero and Christian Center President Jason Cuyler assist with Christmas meal packaging and delivery on Wednesday.

The turkeys, all donated by local residents, were prepared by the sheriffs and inmates at Berkshire County Jail and House of Corrections before being packaged at the Christian Center for distribution. The majority of the food is also directly donated, with only a few items needing to be purchased by the Christian Center.

“It brings out the joy in Christmas to be able to do things like this,” Cuyler said. “We want to help this community in any way we possibly can.”

But while they had come to do important work, the volunteers at the Christian Center showed no lack of Christmas cheer. As they doled out cranberry sauce and packaged candy into bags, many sported vibrant sweaters, shiny necklaces made of Christmas bells and other festive accessories.

Amanda Masoero, left, and Katie Lefkowitz package candy to be included with Christmas meals delivered by the Christian Center in Pittsfield.

Pat Masoero, the center’s financial coordinator, was all business in her reindeer antlers and holiday sweater as she prepared volunteers for packing. Just as Rudolph fearlessly guides Santa’s sleigh, Masoero leads the assembly line of volunteers — which includes her daughter, Amanda — that labors to put the finishing touches on the meals before they’re sent out.

“There is just a wonderful feeling to have,” she said. “To give them a Christmas meal, it’s just a joy.”