From free Thanksgiving Day dinners to coaching several Stockbridge sports teams, Erin Smith prides herself on giving back

by Hope Salyer

The free Thanksgiving Day dinner has been a staple in the Stockbridge Community for years, providing a free, hot meal to community members in need or who would otherwise spend the holiday alone. For the past five years, one woman has overseen the planning and execution of this important annual event.

While Erin Smith has been a volunteer for the dinner for over 15 years, she officially took over as the leader five years ago. “Being a part of the Thanksgiving dinner is what I’m most proud of,” Smith said. “I’m proud to give back to my community and make sure everyone has a meal.”

Smith, who said she originally started volunteering at the Thanksgiving Day dinner as a way to get her kids involved in volunteering and helping out the community, said she loves how amazing the small Stockbridge community is. “We always come together in times of need and take care of each other.”

While she and the other volunteers raise money for the event, Smith said she tries to gather as many items for the dinner by donation as possible. “We raise money for the event, but I want to save money in the account for the future,” Smith said. “Whenever I step down, I want the next person to have funds in the account to continue the dinner.”

The Thanksgiving Day dinner is a team effort, and Smith said they are always looking for volunteers. “I try to get students that need community service hours for the National Honor Society, and I make sure to advertise, but we always need more volunteers.”

While the Thanksgiving Day dinner keeps her busy in the fall, Smith is also a full-time dental assistant, works part time at Rob’s Pizza, and has a strong history of coaching multiple Stockbridge Community Schools sports teams.

“I have coached both of my girls in basketball and my niece in basketball and volleyball,” Smith said. “I’ve also coached middle school basketball and volleyball the last two years, and I was a part of the Stockbridge Athletic Boosters for several years.”

Smith, who was born and raised in Stockbridge, said she’s proud of helping, and giving back, to her community. “I grew up here, and I always tell people Stockbridge is a great community to raise a family,” Smith said. “My parents, my sisters, my kids and I have all graduated from Stockbridge Community Schools. Even though we are a small community, we have a great school system, and we have a community full of giving people.”

Smith’s strong history of volunteering in the community is something she’s extremely proud of, but she said her biggest accomplishment is her family. “I have raised two beautiful girls with successful careers, and I now have two beautiful granddaughters,” Smith said. “I also have a stepdaughter who I treat like my own.”

Through all of her accomplishments, Smith said her hardest lesson has been figuring out life after her divorce. “Going through a divorce has made me a better person,” Smith said. “I look at things much differently now. I met a great guy who has brought me so much happiness.”

Smith said if she could give her younger self a piece of advice, it would be to never give up, and to stick up for herself.

Along those lines, she said the best piece of advice she’s ever received has been to put herself first and make sure she’s happy.

While Smith said she wouldn’t necessarily say she has a role model, she said her parents would fit that title. “They raised me to respect everyone,” Smith said.

When thinking about what qualities she appreciates the most in other people, Smith said she looks at a person’s character. “Because I am a giving person, I look for that in others.”

“I think over the years of our community, women have made a strong impact,” Smith said. “Women are very giving and nurturing, and we are always looking to help others. As I look to our leaders in the community, I see mostly women.”

Smith said the one thing she wants people to know about her is that she has a big heart and will do anything for everyone. “I always try and help out with any community events that I can.”

All photos provided by Erin Smith.

Erin Smith has been a part of making the annual free Thanksgiving Day dinner a success for over 15 years. Photo provided by Erin Smith

“Going through a divorce has made me a better person,” Smith said. “I look at things much differently now. I met a great guy who has brought me so much happiness.”

“I have raised two beautiful girls with successful careers, and I now have two beautiful granddaughters,” Smith, pictured with her family this past Christmas, said. “I also have a stepdaughter who I treat like my own.”

Smith pictured with her daughters and stepdaughter.