Otero County’s Cherished Tradition: 14th Annual 1st Responders Christmas Eve Dinner Gears Up for 2025

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. – As the fanfare of the Black Friday holiday sales arrive and the thrill of Christmas on MainStreet comes before us we cannot forget our one holiday ritual in Otero County stands as a beacon of gratitude: the annual 1st Responders Christmas Eve Dinner. Now in its 14th year, this community-fueled feast—born from a simple act of kindness in 2012—continues to nourish not just bodies, but the unbreakable spirit of those who safeguard us when the unthinkable strikes.

The tradition kicked off humbly in 2012, when a small group of Alamogordo residents, led by organizer Paul “Chez” Sanchez and Deacon Jim Ernst of Desert Hills Church of Christ, gathered to feed just 20 on-duty first responders from the local police and fire departments. What began as a potluck-style “thank you” in the church’s fellowship hall at 1900 23rd St. has blossomed into a countywide embrace, expanding to include Otero County Sheriff’s deputies, AMR ambulance crews, Border Patrol agents, dispatchers, jail staff, hospital emergency room teams, and even Holloman Air Force Base airmen—often totaling around 80 from the base alone.

By 2023, marking the 10th anniversary, the event had become a well-oiled machine of generosity, with volunteers and donors stepping up via social media calls like those from 2nd Life Media’s Alamogordo Town News. That year, the dinner fed over 190 heroes, complete with hearty mains like turkeys, hams, and tamales, plus mountains of sides and desserts that left plates piled high for seconds—and thirds. Organizers marveled at the “insane amount of food,” with leftovers always destined for the Center of Protective Environment (COPE) and the ER, ensuring no one’s kindness went to waste.

The 2024 edition, held on Dec. 24 at the same beloved venue, echoed this success, drawing about 190 participants amid an “incredible” dessert table that had firefighters and deputies eyeing thirds before the plates even cleared. Sanchez, reflecting on the evening’s warmth, called it “another huge success,” crediting the “fantastic citizens of Otero County” who turned a simple meal into a night of profound appreciation. Sponsors like Chili’s Alamogordo contributed key items, such as promised turkeys, while a dedicated crew of drivers shuttled steaming trays to remote stations, jails, and dispatch centers under the starry New Mexico sky.

This year, the 2025 dinner—set for Christmas Eve, Dec. 24—aims to build on that legacy, feeding roughly 190 on-duty guardians once more. “Think about what our 1st Responders had for dinner on Thursday,” Sanchez urges in his annual call to action, a nod to the Thanksgiving shifts many just endured. The mantra remains: Many hands make light work, so no one needs to tackle the whole menu—just pick one item and show up.

The full feast wishlist, designed for easy potluck participation, includes:

• Mains: 6 turkeys (4 pledged from Chili’s!), 4 hams, 2 briskets, 4 dozen tamales, 2 pans mac & cheese, 3-4 pans enchiladas, 2 pans lasagna.

• Sides: 12 dozen rolls, 1 pan cornbread, 4 pans stuffing, 4 batches mashed potatoes, 6 batches gravy, 1-2 green bean casseroles, 4 cans cranberry sauce, 1 corn casserole, 1 cornbread dressing, 3 veggie side dishes, 1 pinto beans, 3 macaroni salads, 2 potato salads, 1 pasta salad.

• Desserts (store-bought encouraged—no pressure to bake!): 6 dozen cupcakes, 8 pies, 4 cakes, 10 dozen cookies. “There’s absolutely no such thing as too much dessert!” Sanchez jokes.

Drop-offs are hot and ready between 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 24 at Desert Hills Church of Christ—no early deliveries, as there’s no storage space. Dinner kicks off at 6 p.m. sharp, wrapping by 9:30 p.m., with leftovers heading straight to COPE and the ER.

Volunteers are the event’s secret sauce, with slots for about 15 helpers across shifts:

• 4-6 p.m.: Setup crew (9 needed).

• 6-9 p.m.: Serving crew (7 needed).

• 6-9 p.m.: Drivers for deliveries to stations, jails, and more (4-8 needed).

• 9-10:30 p.m.: Cleanup & final delivery crew (7 needed).

“It’s one of the most fulfilling nights you’ll spend,” Sanchez promises, “when you see how much our heroes appreciate it.” To sign up, message Paul Chez Sanchez on the Otero 1st Responders Christmas Dinner Facebook page or comment on the event post. All items in disposable containers, please—sorting dishes amid the holiday rush is no fun.

In an era where first responders face everything from turkey mishaps to holiday heartaches, this dinner isn’t just food; it’s Otero County’s way of saying, “We’ve got your back.” From its modest 2012 beginnings to feeding nearly 200 in 2024, the tradition proves that a little community love goes a long way. Follow the Facebook page for updates, and consider pitching in—because as Sanchez says, “Every little bit helps!

For those not on Facebook that want to contribute text or call our media company and we will connect you directly with Chez. 

Merry Christmas, Otero County—let’s make it a feast to remember.

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