Thursday, November 25, 2010
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Civil deputies with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department Senior Services assemble Thanksgiving dinners for seniors Wednesday at First Federated Church of North Jackson. From left are Diane Bates of Youngstown, Michele Nutt of Austintown and Carol Avery of Ellsworth.
By Sean Barron
NORTH JACKSON
Millions of people will spend today with family, friends and loved ones enjoying home-cooked meals, football games and one another’s company.
For many senior citizens, though, Thanksgiving may be a day filled with loneliness, memories and sadness.
Nevertheless, a few hundred older Mahoning County residents received free turkey dinners — not to mention reminders that someone cares about them — as part of Wednesday’s fourth annual “Thanksgiving for Seniors” program, sponsored by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department’s Senior Services unit.
The three-hour event at The First Federated Church, 10786 Mahoning Ave., brought together dozens of volunteers who prepared, packaged and delivered the meals to referred senior citizens throughout the county who are unable to cook, are homebound or have no support systems, noted Kay L. Lavelle, the Senior Services program’s coordinator. About 250 dinners of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing and pumpkin pie were distributed, Lavelle said.
Recipients, however, received more than a traditional meal.
“We’re encouraging the volunteers to spend time with our seniors to talk to them,” she explained. “All they’ve got for Thanksgiving is memories past.”
Many of the church’s parishioners baked and prepared the turkeys, and volunteers were asked to bring their children to promote the importance of volunteerism, Lavelle added.
One of those handling the turkeys was Jack Acri, president of First Federated’s council, who also helped coordinate the effort.
“It’s great to be able to assist folks we don’t know and never see … It just means a lot to put love into what we’re doing,” Acri said, adding that his wife, Anne, also helped.
Leftovers were to go to those at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, he added.
Also happy to have made a difference was Janet Johnson of Youngstown, whose duties included washing dishes at the church and placing the meals in bags for distribution.
“I’m blessed with a lot, and there’s a lot of people who need help right now,” she said.
Businesses and organizations that donated food and provided financial support were Sam’s Club of Boardman, Eat ‘n’ Park restaurant and Walmart, both in Austintown, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 213, Comfort Keepers and Home Instead Senior Care. Also contributing were Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Sterling House of Youngstown and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 141.
Senior citizens in need of assistance are encouraged to call the Senior Services program at 330-480-5078.