Giving thanks: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner still free to all
The countdown is underway: it is about a week the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres will serve up its free Thanksgiving dinner for the public.
Mike Buff and a couple fellow Rotarians will begin cooking the turkeys and preparing all the trimmings on Tuesday night.
“We’re going to be preparing around 30 turkeys for the free dinner, hundreds of pounds of potatoes and other things,” Buff said.
It is the club’s 11th year preparing the dinner. Everyone in the community is invited to come, sit and enjoy the free holiday meal in the Parish Hall at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, at 2514 Lee Blvd.
An estimated 5,000 meals have been prepared since the club took up the Thanksgiving cause, which was first offered to people who did not have a place to go or who could not afford a holiday meal.
But a lot changed over the years. For several years now, the dinner is free to everyone in Lehigh. The number of people who ate turkey and all the trimmings last year was about 500 or more.
“We don’t ask for a donation. We want the community to just come and enjoy the meal and socialize with each other,” he said. “Those who want to contribute money can drop it in a special container.”
Those who would like to help out before the dinner can contact Buff at 239-464-4253.
He explained that every little bit helps the club to carry on the community tradition.
“Thanks to St. Raphael’s Church for lending us their parish hall and kitchen,” Buff said.
The Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres is composed of about 25 members. According to Buff, each one will contribute toward preparing the massive dinner.
The doors will open at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and the dinner will continue until 2 p.m.
“We usually have around 50 volunteers who help us out each Thanksgiving. If you want to volunteer, show up at around 10 a.m. so we can put you to work,” he said.
Volunteers serve on the line, dishing up the turkey and the trimmings. Some help wash pots and pans and others greet visitors
All ages volunteer, including teenagers who pass out desserts and beverages to the crowds.
Buff said the club members really enjoy this as a way to give back to the community and to make sure nobody goes without a meal.
“If you know someone who has no family here and isn’t planning anything on Thanksgiving, let them know of the free dinner. Let the elderly know so they don’t have to remain at home and not celebrate Thanksgiving,” he said.
Buff said the club’s new president, David Anthony, is planning to be completely involved.
Come Dec. 25, the club will prepare a free Christmas dinner. The only difference is the club will cook several hams instead.
“Same terms, come and enjoy a meal. Come and volunteer,” Buff said. “Bring your friends and enjoy Christmas.”
Giving thanks: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner still free to all
The countdown is underway: it is about a week the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres will serve up its free Thanksgiving dinner for the public.
Mike Buff and a couple fellow Rotarians will begin cooking the turkeys and preparing all the trimmings on Tuesday night.
“We’re going to be preparing around 30 turkeys for the free dinner, hundreds of pounds of potatoes and other things,” Buff said.
It is the club’s 11th year preparing the dinner. Everyone in the community is invited to come, sit and enjoy the free holiday meal in the Parish Hall at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, at 2514 Lee Blvd.
An estimated 5,000 meals have been prepared since the club took up the Thanksgiving cause, which was first offered to people who did not have a place to go or who could not afford a holiday meal.
But a lot changed over the years. For several years now, the dinner is free to everyone in Lehigh. The number of people who ate turkey and all the trimmings last year was about 500 or more.
“We don’t ask for a donation. We want the community to just come and enjoy the meal and socialize with each other,” he said. “Those who want to contribute money can drop it in a special container.”
Those who would like to help out before the dinner can contact Buff at 239-464-4253.
He explained that every little bit helps the club to carry on the community tradition.
“Thanks to St. Raphael’s Church for lending us their parish hall and kitchen,” Buff said.
The Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres is composed of about 25 members. According to Buff, each one will contribute toward preparing the massive dinner.
The doors will open at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and the dinner will continue until 2 p.m.
“We usually have around 50 volunteers who help us out each Thanksgiving. If you want to volunteer, show up at around 10 a.m. so we can put you to work,” he said.
Volunteers serve on the line, dishing up the turkey and the trimmings. Some help wash pots and pans and others greet visitors
All ages volunteer, including teenagers who pass out desserts and beverages to the crowds.
Buff said the club members really enjoy this as a way to give back to the community and to make sure nobody goes without a meal.
“If you know someone who has no family here and isn’t planning anything on Thanksgiving, let them know of the free dinner. Let the elderly know so they don’t have to remain at home and not celebrate Thanksgiving,” he said.
Buff said the club’s new president, David Anthony, is planning to be completely involved.
Come Dec. 25, the club will prepare a free Christmas dinner. The only difference is the club will cook several hams instead.
“Same terms, come and enjoy a meal. Come and volunteer,” Buff said. “Bring your friends and enjoy Christmas.”
Giving thanks: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner still free to all
The countdown is underway: it is about a week the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres will serve up its free Thanksgiving dinner for the public.
Mike Buff and a couple fellow Rotarians will begin cooking the turkeys and preparing all the trimmings on Tuesday night.
“We’re going to be preparing around 30 turkeys for the free dinner, hundreds of pounds of potatoes and other things,” Buff said.
It is the club’s 11th year preparing the dinner. Everyone in the community is invited to come, sit and enjoy the free holiday meal in the Parish Hall at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, at 2514 Lee Blvd.
An estimated 5,000 meals have been prepared since the club took up the Thanksgiving cause, which was first offered to people who did not have a place to go or who could not afford a holiday meal.
But a lot changed over the years. For several years now, the dinner is free to everyone in Lehigh. The number of people who ate turkey and all the trimmings last year was about 500 or more.
“We don’t ask for a donation. We want the community to just come and enjoy the meal and socialize with each other,” he said. “Those who want to contribute money can drop it in a special container.”
Those who would like to help out before the dinner can contact Buff at 239-464-4253.
He explained that every little bit helps the club to carry on the community tradition.
“Thanks to St. Raphael’s Church for lending us their parish hall and kitchen,” Buff said.
The Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres is composed of about 25 members. According to Buff, each one will contribute toward preparing the massive dinner.
The doors will open at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and the dinner will continue until 2 p.m.
“We usually have around 50 volunteers who help us out each Thanksgiving. If you want to volunteer, show up at around 10 a.m. so we can put you to work,” he said.
Volunteers serve on the line, dishing up the turkey and the trimmings. Some help wash pots and pans and others greet visitors
All ages volunteer, including teenagers who pass out desserts and beverages to the crowds.
Buff said the club members really enjoy this as a way to give back to the community and to make sure nobody goes without a meal.
“If you know someone who has no family here and isn’t planning anything on Thanksgiving, let them know of the free dinner. Let the elderly know so they don’t have to remain at home and not celebrate Thanksgiving,” he said.
Buff said the club’s new president, David Anthony, is planning to be completely involved.
Come Dec. 25, the club will prepare a free Christmas dinner. The only difference is the club will cook several hams instead.
“Same terms, come and enjoy a meal. Come and volunteer,” Buff said. “Bring your friends and enjoy Christmas.”
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