Friday, November 28, 2008
News
Volunteers serve up holiday meals
By NATHAN BRUTTELL, Argus-Press Staff Writer
OWOSSO - Volunteers from Northgate Wesleyan Church prepared a Thanksgiving feast at the Shiawassee Council on Aging with one goal in mind.
“No one in the community should go hungry today,” volunteer Jeri Steck said. “Everyone has the right to a Thanksgiving dinner.”
The volunteers fed about 300 people Thursday as part of a tradition going back more than 30 years.
Northgate Wesleyan coordinator Jim McKay said about 65 volunteers were needed to put together the meals, donated by area businesses such as Greg and Lou's Family Restaurant, Young Chevrolet-Cadillac and VG's Food and Pharmacy.
“We're feeding more than 150 people here,” McKay said. “But we've also got drivers delivering to people around the county. Anyone that wants a meal, gets one.”
Volunteer driver Jerry Kingsley said when he showed up to deliver meals, he saw a lot of smiling faces.
“Everyone was just so tickled to death,” he said. “Some of them offered to pay for their meals because they were so thankful and happy to see us.”
Inside the senior center, community members found things for which to be thankful, despite tough times.
Paul and Peggy Davis, of Oakley, lost their home in Owosso to foreclosure earlier this year.
“I think these people have done a really good job,” Paul Davis said. “I am glad to be living in America and I am thankful for this meal. I have some friends serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm thankful that they're alive too.”
Peggy Davis agreed.
“We are really thankful for our health and family this year,” she said.
Stephen Reeves, of Owosso, said he was thankful to enjoy a meal with people.
“I live alone and I don't ever cook,” he said. “These are really nice people here and the food is great. I'm going to have a second helping today.”
One family decided to spend its Thanksgiving preparing food for not only themselves, but the entire community.
Glen and Beverly Rosenberger - who have been married nearly 55 years - worked through the day to make sure everyone had as much food as they could enjoy.
“We're thankful for all of this help and that we could do something for people who need the food,” Beverly Rosenberger said. “Glen and I are also thankful for a long marriage.”
Sons Glen J. Rosenberger and Robert Rosenberger helped with the meal, along with Beulah Underhill, Doty Hine and Jim Stefoff.
- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.
“No one in the community should go hungry today,” volunteer Jeri Steck said. “Everyone has the right to a Thanksgiving dinner.”
The volunteers fed about 300 people Thursday as part of a tradition going back more than 30 years.
Northgate Wesleyan coordinator Jim McKay said about 65 volunteers were needed to put together the meals, donated by area businesses such as Greg and Lou's Family Restaurant, Young Chevrolet-Cadillac and VG's Food and Pharmacy.
“We're feeding more than 150 people here,” McKay said. “But we've also got drivers delivering to people around the county. Anyone that wants a meal, gets one.”
Volunteer driver Jerry Kingsley said when he showed up to deliver meals, he saw a lot of smiling faces.
“Everyone was just so tickled to death,” he said. “Some of them offered to pay for their meals because they were so thankful and happy to see us.”
Inside the senior center, community members found things for which to be thankful, despite tough times.
Paul and Peggy Davis, of Oakley, lost their home in Owosso to foreclosure earlier this year.
“I think these people have done a really good job,” Paul Davis said. “I am glad to be living in America and I am thankful for this meal. I have some friends serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm thankful that they're alive too.”
Peggy Davis agreed.
“We are really thankful for our health and family this year,” she said.
Stephen Reeves, of Owosso, said he was thankful to enjoy a meal with people.
“I live alone and I don't ever cook,” he said. “These are really nice people here and the food is great. I'm going to have a second helping today.”
One family decided to spend its Thanksgiving preparing food for not only themselves, but the entire community.
Glen and Beverly Rosenberger - who have been married nearly 55 years - worked through the day to make sure everyone had as much food as they could enjoy.
“We're thankful for all of this help and that we could do something for people who need the food,” Beverly Rosenberger said. “Glen and I are also thankful for a long marriage.”
Sons Glen J. Rosenberger and Robert Rosenberger helped with the meal, along with Beulah Underhill, Doty Hine and Jim Stefoff.
- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.