NEWS

Church welcomes community to a Thanksgiving Day meal

Anthony Conchel
Editor

MARION - Roderick Jenkins was grateful for the community meal offered Thanksgiving Day at Dayspring Wesleyan Church. But the Cardington man has plenty more to be thankful for this year.

Jenkins said 4 months ago he nearly died.

"I had a gall bladder operation and they punctured my intestines. But they found a hole and sewed it up. I'm thankful just to be here, They didn't think I was going to make it," Jenkins said.

This wasn't the first time Jenkins had experienced health problems. "About 4 years ago,I had colon cancer and they took my colon out," said the U.S. Army veteran.

Jenkins, his wife, Phyllis, and brother-in-law Larry Crampton were among those who enjoyed a full meal in the church's new addition.

The church provided 55 turkeys, 28 boneless hams, green beans, 40 cans of sweet potatoes and 100 pumpkin and cherry pies, said Jim Creager.

"We enjoy doing this. This is our second year and we have a lot of delivery and carry-out orders. We wish more people would come in and eat," he said.

Creager, his wife Marilyn, daughters Sharon and Lisa, along with Ken and Janet Stiverson, help organize the meal. Ken Stiverson said the cooking began about 6:30 a.m.

"Dayspring wanted a community outreach. We have a bigger facility now and a bigger dining room," Creager said.

In total, 200 volunteers took part in preparing, serving and delivering about 1,400 meals.

Vern and Kathy Sizemore were part of the volunteer crew.

'My wife is a very giving person and likes to volunteer. Our family has grown so we decided to spend part of our Thanksgiving here," said Vern, who also helps Central Christian Church.

"We have a meal there the last Sunday of every month," Sizemore said.

For him, it's about giving back for all he has received.

"I'm paying my dues for what God has given to me."

A number of families took part in serving the meal,

Steve and Mindy Mowery and children Eric, 12, Grace, 10 and Carson, 8 were active in the dining room.

"We like serving people, helping others and make them happy," Eric said.

The children were on pie patrol while their parents dished out the main course.

Amy Augenstein and her son, Evan, cleaned up the tables.

"We always like to do some kind of service. Our family is out of state so we didn't have a big family event today, so we use our time doing this," Amy said.

Valarie Glass came to pick up food for friends.

"I have to work today so I'm taking this to them. This helps people who don't have anybody to have Thanksgiving with or who can't get out. That's the spirit of Thanksgiving," Glass said.

aconchel@gannett.com

740-375-5107

Twitter: @anthonyconchel