For the ninth year the volunteers of the Red Hill Fire Company spent their Thanksgiving holiday giving to others as they continue their "Operation Burnt Turkey" providing a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal to those less fortunate or just looking for someone to spend the special day with.

Preparing and serving the Thanksgiving Day dinner included front row, Denise Christman. Seated: Evelyn Tyson, Maryann Longo, Samantha Christman, Heather Buck, Scott Worthing- ton and George Kolodzrej. Standing: Jim Tyson, Brian Weller, Jennifer Hartzel, William onofrio, Justin Donofrio, Bradley S. Buck, Dave McCourk, Holly Goodwin, Keith Goodwin, Nancy Kane, Logan Hunger and Doug Buck.

            According to Company President Maryann Longo, the group expected to serve about 180 people this year – those who preregistered and those who walked in.  Longo and her volunteers began roasting 21 donated turkeys three days in advance to prepare

Bradley S. Buck watches Scott Worthington cut up one of the 21 turkeys servued during the ninth annual Operation Burnt Turkey.

for the event.  Up from the 15 birds roasted last year.

            The aroma of roasted turkey wafted throughout the fire company kitchen making one hungry as the preparers put the finishing touches on the meals.

            Many volunteers plan their holiday around their commitment to give those less fortunate who might need companionship, friendship, or a nutritious meal and a place to go and someone to celebrate with.  Some even bring family members to help out or just spend some time with.

            Once again this year, the volunteers were uniformed with T-shirts announcing their commitment, but this year's wear was special.  The back of the T-shirts proudly displayed the 2024 image of the Burnt Turkey event but the sleeve displayed a small pair of glasses with the name Wyatt-Joe Custom emblazoned on it.

            In their continuing efforts to promote local causes, the Red Hill Fire Company

Wyatt-Joe Custom owners Alli and Curt Vaders with their 2-1/2 year old son Wyatt Joseph, the inspiration for their custom apparel. Their goal is to raise awareness and build confidence in youngsters with glasses.

volunteers chose Wyatt-Joe Custom. It is a local company with a cause: build confidence in youngsters with glasses through their apparel.

            Alli and Curt Vaders started the Perkiomenville, PA enterprise to raise awareness after

their son, Wyatt Joseph, was born in 2022 and the proud parents welcomed him with love and caring.

            But, at his two-month checkup, the doctor noticed shaking in his eyes and he was referred to a specialist.  Young Wyatt Joseph was diagnosed with nystagmus (dancing eyes).  Alli and Curt were told that doctors believed Wyatt had little or no vision.  Wyatt's parents stayed positive and took the young boy to a pediatric ophthalmologist who prescribed glasses.  The family's prayers were answered.  Wyatt received his first pair of glasses at eight months.  He is now 2-1/2 years old and is as spry and spunky as any youth his age while wearing his glasses.

             You can find them at www.wyattjoecustom.com, on Facebook at wyatt-joe

Maryann Stanley and Yvonne Diehl, right, receive their Thanksgiving dinner at the ninth annual Op- eration Burnt Turkey event at the Red Hill Fire Company.

custom, on Instagram at wyatt_joe_custom, or on TikTok at wyatt_joe_custom.

            It was another example of giving by the volunteers of the Red Hill Fire Company.  This time by purchasing a product and sharing information about a worthy cause.

            The 20 or so volunteers working the 2024 "Burnt Turkey" were lively and appeared to be having fun while they went about their tasks.

            It looks to this writer that they will be back for year 10 in 2025 for another giveback from the volunteers who give throughout the year.