At times, Nicole Irons, Ed English and Hazel Wolcott were too busy to look up while serving Thanksgiving dinners Wednesday to a number of people who visited the Friendship Table for turkey, potatoes, stuffing, yams — and fellowship.
The annual event, sponsored by employees from Edmond Chevrolet Ed Shults Toyota in Bradford and Drs. Dilbagh and Hardish Singh, was appreciated by the recipients who waited in line to have trays heaped with the hot, delicious food.
“I volunteer everyday here — I think the area needs this,” said Jackie Mickle, who also planned to eat her Thanksgiving dinner at the Table. “I’ve been here almost two years (as a volunteer) and I kind of fell in love with it.”
Chris Stravena, who was found waiting in line for his meal, said, “It’s worth the wait and it’s worth not eating before — it’s all good, home-cooked stuff.”
Straneva said residents from the community, and those with children, appreciate the holiday meals provided at the Table. The East Corydon Street facility also provides a Christmas meal to recipients.
“(Holiday expenses) makes it a little difficult for people sometimes and this dinner might help them out a little bit,” Straneva explained. He was also pleased that he and other recipients don’t have to worry about cooking a large Thanksgiving meal — or the clean-up.
Joe Doriguzzi, co-chairperson of the Table, said the sponsorship of the meal is a big help, as the facility uses other donated foods from the community for meals throughout the year.
“We’ll get maybe 100 or 120 people tonight” for Thanksgiving, Doriguzzi remarked, noting the cook prepared 10 large turkeys for the dinner. “Everything is used and nothing goes to waste.”
In addition to the traditional dinner, the Table served pumpkin pies, cakes and brownies baked and donated by youngsters with Beacon Light school in Custer City.
Edmond Chevrolet employee Nicole Irons, who worked alongside fellow employee Ed English, said she has volunteered for the Thanksgiving dinner the past four years.
The dealership has provided and served Thanksgiving dinners at the Table since 2008.
“We enjoy it every year,” Irons added. “We love helping out the community and paying it forward. We do a lot of fundraisers now, so we’re trying to get out there.”
She said the business also tries to involve all of its employees in the event by switching their duties with serving at the meal and fundraising.
