Well, they did it again and there are many local residents who are glad they did.

The volunteers for the 10th annual Operation Burnt Turkey, held at the Red Hill Fire Company's Social Hall.

            The Red Hill Fire Company Social Club's Operation Burnt Turkey has just completed a decade of service of their annual Thanksgiving dinner for people in the community in need of a good meal or a friend during the holiday. 

            As the need grows so do the volunteers and their desire and commitment to see this event move into its 11th year in 2026.

            It's a place to go for Thanksgiving.  There are folks who have no place to go, no friends to visit with, and those who run the risk of going hungry on this special day.  The Red Hill volunteers will not let that happen.

Pete Stoeckel, Denise Christman and Maryann Longo have been doing Operation Burnt Turkey for the last 10 years.

            Last year, they served 165 visitors during the event.  The 20 or so volunteers expected that they would serve more than 190 this year, including call-ins and walk-ins.  It is a far cry from the 17 people who visited and shared in the event during its first year.

            Those Red Hill volunteers give up their day with family and friends to serve and spend time with those who are looking for family and friends to be with.

            There were 18 turkeys in the oven last year.  This year the number needed grew to 23.  Volunteers begin roasting turkeys on Monday and finished up the last of them on Thanksgiving morning.  The meals came with all the trimmings, including filling, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce, more than 20 desserts, and more.  This year, my friend, also a volunteer firefighter and volunteer for the event, told me a heart-warming story that I wanted to share. 

            While at a local grocery store on Wednesday night, picking up some last-minute items for the Burnt Turkey dinner buffet, he was shopping for ingredients that he would be using to make his three-bean salad for the event.  He ran into a friend of his who

Olivia, 10, and Weston Yocum, 7, from Pennsburg, decorate the tree prior to Operation Burnt Turkey

asked him what he was doing with all the items in his basket.  Brad explained what he was shopping for and told him about the Burnt Turkey event.  His friend took Brad to the checkout counter and paid for everything as his donation to the event.

            That is the spirit of the holiday – spontaneous giving.  That's what pays the bills this year and allows the planning for the event next year.

            When asked why the group started this Thanksgiving sharing event, Fire Company President Maryann Longo said, "To give back to the community and help those who want it." 

            Maryann, along with Denise Christman and Pete Stoeckel, were among the original organizers of the Burnt Turkey and were on hand, volunteering in their decade-long service.

            I am sure that all of them are looking forward to year 11 and the beginning of another decade of serving.