Monday, May 21, 2012
Unsung Hero: Giving Back on Thanksgiving
MT. VERNON - As the focus shifts from Thanksgiving to Christmas, volunteers at a Jefferson County church show what the "season for giving" is all about.
The group devotes their turkey-day to hosting one of the largest community meals in the area. "We have turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans. All kinds of pies and desserts," says Steve Reynolds. The Hospitality Ministry Leader at Mt. Vernon's Central Christian Church organizes an annual meal for 1,500 people. It all started 15 years ago, and now Steve has more than 120 helpers from the congregation. Ron and Phyllis Adcock have volunteered since the beginning. "We get here at 4 o-clock in the morning," says Ron. And they're happy to do it! Even putting off their own family meal a day or two. "We were supposed to have gone to Springfield with our kids and we told them, no- this comes first," Phyllis says. It's not just about feeding people, but making them feel like family. "There's a lot of people out there that just don't want to spend Thanksgiving alone- and so for one day, we all come together and we're all family," says Steve. Curtis Miller of Bonnie says the meal is always good, and something he relies on year after year. "Fellowship with each other, meet new friends, help each other out," says Curtis. Thanks to so many helping hands, it's possible. And Steve Reynolds' dedication to the annual feast represents what Thanksgiving is all about. "I see a lot of smiles- maybe for just awhile we're changing somebody's life. Because I know that they change our life," Steve says. |
Marion Regional
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