“It’s about giving thanks for the people who are there for you, how they have mentored you, given you wisdom, love, caring,” volunteer Cassandra Coles said about the City of Florence Parks and Beautification Departments holiday meal held Tuesday at the Barnes Street Activities Center. “We are sharing with each other, we need them, they need us, and helping them out is very rewarding,” she said.
Coles, who lives in New York, spent the day volunteering with her father, Levern Henderson.
The Barnes Street Activities Center hosted more than 60 people for the holiday luncheon. Senior members from all of the cities community centers gathered together to celebrate the meal complete with turkey, stuffing and fresh yams -- all prepared from scratch -- by the members of the Northwest Men’s Club. The afternoon event featured a spiritual reading by S.C. House of Representative Rev. Terry Alexander, door prizes, raffles and bingo games.
“I was really pleased with the turn out (for the luncheon). I’m so thankful that this time we are able to do this for the youth and seniors. For many of our families this maybe the only nutritional meal they get for the holiday. Being it’s the first year for the Barnes Street Center, we wanted to bring everyone together as one and celebrate the traditional Thanksgiving meal,” said Program Coordinator David L. Caldwell.
Food and supplies for the day’s meals were provided through donations from Florence Toyota Scion, Wal-Mart- and the Nichols Companies of South Carolina.
The luncheon will be followed Tuesday night with a youth and teen dinner featuring a performance by the Performing Arts Academy and words of inspiration from Pastor Clyde Odom of Kings of Kings Church of God. Following the dinner, the department staff will present a photo slide show featuring events from the year. The dinner is expected to feed more than 200 children and their families, according to Program Coordinator David L. Caldwell.
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