The Salvation Army has been gearing up for the Thanksgiving celebrations the organization will be hosting in various locations across the nation.
In the group's stations in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, approximately 2,400 meals were served as part of the Thanksgiving initiative of the Salvation Army. The occasion was marked by the generosity and willingness to help of numerous volunteers who manned various sections, which greatly contributed to a smooth-sailing operation. To date, the mobile unit in this location has been providing food for more than 1,000 people every month.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army in Lexington shared that roughly 400 people took part in their free Thanksgiving celebration this year. Apart from delivering 127 meals to homes with no food to feast on to commemorate this event, those who went to partake in their sit-down meals were given another surprise as the University of Kentucky basketball players and their coach, John Calipari, volunteered for the occasion as well.
"It means the world to us. We are in the atmosphere where we're blessed with a whole lot of good things and a whole lot of people who support us in everything they do. So finally being able to come here and support them and help out the community that always helps us out means a lot to us," said UK forward Marcus Lee.
This year's visit marks the second time the team helped out in the Thanksgiving meal at the Salvation Army.
In Guam, the Salvation Army was able to provide Thanksgiving meals for almost 1,000 people who went to the Chamorro Village to participate in the event. The success of the celebration was mostly due to the time and effort willingly given by more than 100 volunteers who packed and served the donated goods received from various local establishments and schools in the area.
According to the Salvation Army coordinator Chris Francisco, the group received around 45 turkeys and hams from business owners, schools, and residents in the area. The donations were then packed and served by their staff and volunteers. Moreover, Capt. Mike Lutcher shared that volunteers played an important role this season as their generosity with their time and effort ensured that the less fortunate were given Thanksgiving meals.
"Whether you're giving your time or you're donating, we want to give to the people in need," stated Lutcher. He asserted that the Salvation Army aims to "make sure that they [less fortunate fellowmen] feel welcome no matter what their nationality is, what language they speak, so they can come to a place and have food that's already prepped for them, and have a good time."
Apart from initiating projects to feed those in need this season, the Salvation Army is also encouraging people to help in their "Red Kettle" campaign to raise funds for the Christmas holiday.
