Thanksgiving is a day that brings many families and friends together to spend time, enjoy the company of each other, and share a meal.  The desire to do so makes it one of the most traveled holidays of the year.

Pete Stoeckel carves up one of eight turkeys used in the sixth anniversary of the Red Hill Fire Company's Thanksgiving Dinner.	Mary and John Camuso prepare the salad to feed around 80 people in Red Hill Fire Company's "Operation Burnt Turkey 2021."

            Sadly, there are folks who have no family and few friends; there are those who can't travel or aren't able to spend the holiday with others; and there are some who are just alone and welcome the opportunity to be with others.

            For the sixth year volunteers at the Red Hill Fire Company provided a place to go and company to be with on Thanksgiving.

            Approaching the doors of the Fire Company's Social Hall, one began to enjoy the wonderful aroma of roasted turkey.  The closer you got to the door, the more it drew you inside.

            In the kitchen, about a dozen workers hustled around, doing their part to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for very special guests.  In the Social Hall, children decorated a Christmas tree that would help add a festive mood to some who might not have it, some who may need it, and all who would appreciate it.

            According to Fire Company President Maryann Longo, "We served 15 people six years ago.  This year, we expect to serve about 80."

Guests line up to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Red Hill Fire Comp pany's "Operatoin Burnt Turkey 2021."

            The workers went about their duties in the kitchen wearing T-shirts proclaiming "Operation Burnt Turkey 2021 – Proudly Serving the Community Thanksgiving Dinner for 6 Years."  A grateful community respects them for remembering those less fortunate.

            For some of the volunteers their day began at 5 a.m. and wraps up around 7 p.m.  Giving up the opportunity to spend the day with their own family, they found family and friendship among each other and those who they serve.  Some brought their families along to help at the event.

            "We do it because it is a way of giving back to the community because they support us," Longo said.  Sound reasoning from the president of a local service organization that serves the community year-round and still has the desire to say thanks – and then serve more.

            The turkeys, eight of them, and all the desserts were donated.  All of the other trimmings and fixings were purchased with donated money.  The volunteers came from every branch of the fire company membership and beyond.

            With the COVID-19 Pandemic still looming, the volunteers offered takeout meals for those who preferred to eat at home.  Still, many chose to dine in the spacious Red Hill Fire Company Social Hall

            The members and friends of the Red Hill Fire Company chose to spend their Thanksgiving Day making sure others have one.  Some of their guests came and enjoyed a meal with friends they always had but never knew.  It instilled a sense of belonging.

            To the members and helpers of the Red Hill Fire Company's Operation Burnt Turkey 2021, Thanks for Giving.