Washington City Mission residents give thanks to volunteers Volunteers serve hot Thanksgiving meals to 75 City Mission residents
Volunteer Carol Carson, center, prepares to take a plate from Dorothy Cowan, far left, while Kelly Morris adds a side of stuffing. Two dozen volunteers and workers served Thanksgiving meals to about 75 residents at the Washington City Mission Thursday afternoon.
Volunteer Noah Bish, right, reads out an order as Kelly Morris, left, Dorothy Cowan and George Diehl put together a plate.
Kelly Morris, left, Dorothy Cowan and George Diehl put together a plate for the Washington City Mission’s annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Josh Peterson brought his young son, Aaron, to volunteer at Washington City Mission’s annual Thanksgiving dinner so they could help others in need understand how fortunate their family is this time of year.
The youngster from McMurray and his father spent Thursday afternoon with several other volunteers serving about 75 residents and other people who needed a warm meal or had no where else to go on Thanksgiving.
Aaron Peterson spent most of his time handing out brown gift bags filled with chocolate and other treats to the residents. Judy Sandy of Washington City Mission offered the youngster a bag of his own, but he declined and instead chose to give it to a resident just sitting down to eat.
“For the kids, it gives them perspective,” Josh Peterson said of his son’s charity. “He doesn’t know what it’s like to be hungry and not having anything to eat.”
That volunteerism and goodwill was not lost on the residents. Thomas Preston, 47, lives at the Mission and said he was “grateful” for the warm meal and family-oriented sprit the volunteers provided.
“It’s a blessing that comes from God that these people are here to serve us and serve us a plate of food,” Preston said while munching on a side order of stuffing. “Some people aren’t as lucky as us to have this meal.”
The first set of men filed into the City Mission’s cafeteria shortly after noon and took their seats at several tables adorned with Thanksgiving decorations. A couple dozen volunteers working two shifts piled each plate with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and salad. Sandy said this is the first year they added an additional late afternoon gathering where residents can eat dessert and play board games.
“The holidays are always the hardest times for the homeless,” Sandy said. “We make them part of the family.”
She said it also offers the volunteers and workers a little community spirit after they depart to enjoy Thanksgiving with their own families.
“They all come in wanting to help,” Sandy said. “It makes them feel good that they can give back.”