While she was sitting at the coloring contest booth at Summer Fest, which Brookfield Township Outreach Association – also known as “the turkey people” – sponsors, Jean Malandro said many people commented on the association’s signature event: the annual free community Thanksgiving dinner.
“People look for that,” she said.
Look for it this year on Nov. 26 in the township social hall at 774 State Route 7. It will be the association’s 10th dinner.
The association can document that it served 910 dinners in 2018, but a discrepancy in record-keeping by this all-volunteer group probably indicates an undercount, said association President Judi Burdette.
“I think we’re well over 1,000,” said Malandro, an association committee member
promoThe association met for its first planning meeting Sept. 25, recounting how things went last year and what needs to be done this year.
A key factor to making the dinner successful is the dozens of volunteers who help prep food and set up, gather supplies, serve the dinners, deliver to shut ins and clean up when it’s all over.
Committee member Raella Baker said last year’s balance was just right: more than 100 people, and they didn’t all come at once. There was help for each part of the event.
“I personally think we had a wonderful group of volunteers last year,” Baker said.
That outpouring will be needed again this year and anyone interested can call Malandro at 330-883-4122 to get on the list.
Financial donations can be sent to BTOA in care of Burdette, 971 State Route 7 NE, Brookfield, 44403.
The association also agreed to continue to donate $250 to Brookfield United Methodist Church’s community Christmas program, Santa’s Workshop; and up to $500 to sponsor the coloring contest, which attracted 112 kids at Summer Fest.