Tuesday, December 24, 2002
The feast provided nutrition, gifts and entertainment for area youngsters.
By VERONICA GORLEY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LIBERTY -- Keith Glenn Jr.'s favorite part of the Holiday Feast was the mashed potatoes.
"It had these little green things in it that makes it taste good," the 12-year-old said.
Glenn attended the fifth annual Holiday Feast on Monday at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex. About 450 people enjoyed a complimentary meal in the MetroPlex's Ballroom from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. during the hotel's "Feed the Needy" program.
People from seven local shelters in Mahoning and Trumbull counties were invited to feast on turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cookies and cake, said Doris McGeorge, coordinator of the Holiday Feast.
"This is, for a lot of people, all they have to look forward to," McGeorge said of the dinner. "This is these kids' happiness."
The event was a collaborative effort. Coca-Cola, Dean Dairy and Sysco Foods donated food and beverages. Fine Friends Tours provided transportation from shelters to the event, and the McDonald Lions Club helped serve the guests. A disc jockey and the Youngstown State University Gospel Choir provided dinner music.
Other entertainment
The event's emcee, Dave Robich, owner of the MetroPlex's Funny Farm Comedy Club, brought some of the children on stage to recite jokes.
The children also enjoyed a visit from clowns and Cincinnati mime Samiah Walker, originally from Youngstown.
The MetroPlex's in-house clown, Jermaine Davis, otherwise known as "Homey the Clown," said the Holiday Feast is a great program.
"It helps out the unfortunate," the 22-year-old Youngstown resident said. "It helps those who really don't have that much and can't do that much for their families."
For some people, the program provided an opportunity for parents and children to spend time together during the busy season.
"My mom's friend brought us here so we can all get together," said Tanisha Ladson, 8, of Youngstown, "So we can all eat out."
The healthful meal -- devoid of hamburgers and french fries -- was the most important part of the program, said Dan Spivey III, McGuffey Center counselor.
"It's good for them to have a nutritious meal," Spivey said. "Some of these kids may not have a chance to have a nutritious meal at home. They should have this as much as possible -- not just at Christmas."
The appearance of Santa Claus is the highlight of the event for many of the children, said Debbie Szurminski, MetroPlex human resources director. Santa delivers presents to the nearly 320 children in attendance, she said.
Jaslyn Dixon, 8, has attended the event three times, and getting a present is her favorite part, she said. Last year, the Youngstown resident was given a Barbie doll. This year she wants "tennis shoes that look like skates," she said.
Another view
Christopher Bonilla of Austintown isn't as grateful for Santa's visit.
"All he does is he sits there and you tell him if you were good and then you go down the steps and grab a present," said Christopher, who celebrated his 11th birthday Monday.
He said he wasn't impressed with the Chinese checkerboard he received last year and hopes to get a remote-controlled airplane this year.
Christopher came with Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana, the main social service agency in Youngstown that services the area's Hispanic community.
After filling up with the buffet-style meal, rambunctious children jousted with balloon swords. Keith, one of Spivey's charges from the McGuffey Center, wound two balloon swords into a crown and placed it on his head. He's looking forward to Santa's visit this year because he's been good, he said.
"It gives kids a chance to get out and interact with other kids, and they get a gift," Spivey said. "And it teaches them the true meaning of Christmas."
On stage, the YSU Gospel Choir talked about Christmas' religious meaning and invited children to join in singing Christmas carols onstage.
"It's all races here," Spivey pointed out. "We all need to get along, regardless of age or color."