Volunteers, the true heroes of Community Thanksgiving 2019
by Diane Rockall
Another successful annual Community Thanksgiving is in the past. Workers now can move on to begin planning for next year’s event set for Nov. 27, 2020. But first, the hardworking volunteers will get some much-deserved rest. Because of their efforts, many were able to enjoy a holiday meal, visit with others and celebrate Thanksgiving.
These volunteers manage each year to provide between 150 and 200 meals onsite at Heritage Middle School, in addition to meal pickups of almost the same amount.
About 200 deliveries are made by truly unseen volunteers to shut-ins and others throughout our area and beyond our school boundaries. Even after all this food is served, the group provides the remaining meals to the Jackson Shelter, allowing a special Thanksgiving dinner there, as well as in Stockbridge.
The menu is similar each year, featuring turkey (light and dark meat), gravy and mashed potatoes. Other side dishes include sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry relish and dinner rolls. Beverages are a choice of coffee, tea, lemonade or water. Dessert includes an enormous variety of pies, cakes and cookies.
Dinner at the site comes by way of the buffet line staffed by alternating volunteers. The desserts are delivered to the tables on carts pushed by the youngest volunteers. Drinks are sometimes delivered by young volunteers, but more help is required sometimes.
Behind the scenes, another group prepares, cooks, and keeps warm adequate quantities of all of these items to keep the food flowing throughout the day. Other volunteers completed the preliminary cooking and carving of the countless turkeys.
Work for the Community Thanksgiving happens year round with solicitation of volunteers and donations. Many supplies are donated and, of course, all of the workers are volunteers. Some workers spend their weekend home from college or vacation time helping out. Community members provide the pies, both homemade and purchased from stores. Area Girl Scouts bake magnificent decorated Christmas cookies.
Erin Smith chaired this year’s event. In the early years, Craig and Laurie Goodlock and Lena Montgomery worked on the event. Then, Lena worked with help from different people each year. Eventually, Lena turned control over to Julie and Mike Glair. They have now passed the torch to Erin and her husband.
The community should be proud not only of all these devoted, hardworking leaders, but of itself for continuing such a wonderful tradition. At the Community Thanksgiving, meals are provided for free, bringing families together, and others are allowed to join in the fellowship at no charge. Everyone is welcome to attend or volunteer. And no one walks away hungry.
