Community collection efforts start for upcoming Thanksgiving event
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

The Annual Community- Wide Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner has reached a milestone, celebrating 10 years of sharing, community and fellowship.

"I didn't know I'd make it through the first year," said Danny Roberts, pastor of New Life Assembly of God, who has coordinated the holiday meal event since it began in its current form. "This is the big double digit, so it's going to be a wonderful year this year."

The event, held at the El Campo Civic Center on Thanksgiving Day, drew 250 people during its first year, and by last year, the number of attendees had grown to about 2,000.

"When you get up to those kinds of numbers, it's kind of hard to count heads," Roberts said, laughing.

As always, Roberts is counting on the community to donate time and money to the popular event.

"We've always had plenty of workers and financial support, and I know we'll have plenty again," he said. "The people in El Campo are definitely workers and givers."

The free interfaith and intercultural event is not just for those who are alone or in straitened circumstances, but attracts those who simply want to share their holiday lunch with others.

Pastor Roberts has faith the community will come through to make this year's meal a success.

As well as cash and volunteers to serve and help with the meal, Roberts said door prize donations are also welcome. This will be the fourth year the event has included drawings for door prizes.

"We're going have door prizes, definitely, and we're going to have some big door prizes this year," he said. "Last year, we had so many door prizes, we were giving them away the whole time, without time for anything else. This year, we'll have fewer door prizes, but they'll be bigger."

Those who can provide musical entertainment or performances during the dinner also are urged to call the pastor if they would like to contribute their talents.

As well, volunteers are needed to provide transportation for those who need it, or to deliver meals to those who won't be able to leave home for the event.

To provide any sort of assistance for the Annual Community-Wide Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner, contact Roberts at 543-3732 (home) or 543-3959 (office), or simply show up at the event.

"Just come planning to work and we'll take all volunteers," Roberts said.