Tulsa Fire Depatrment takes Thanksgiving dinners to needy families
BY AMANDA BLAND World Staff Writer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
11/22/12 at 8:42 AM
The Tulsa chapter of the International Association of Firefighters hopes to establish a tradition this year by delivering dozens of Thanksgiving dinners to local families.
"This is the first of many years to come," chapter President Chad Miller said Wednesday.
Union members asked area schools, churches and community groups to help identify needy families. They also coordinated funds, contacted the families and bought the meals.
There are "45 meals going to 45 deserving families," Miller told reporters before firefighters loaded red Reasor's boxes onto waiting firetrucks.
The union paid $60 each for the meals, which Reasor's employees prepared and boxed. Recipients across the city were given turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, cranberry dressing and pumpkin pie.
"I think everybody is extremely happy and proud to reach out to the less fortunate in our community and be able to make a difference," Miller said.
Members of the union worked with the chapter's public relations committee for weeks leading up to the event, committee Chairman John Smith said.
He said the committee looks forward to joining with other community organizations to provide Thanksgiving meals in coming years.
Some of the meals this year went to families affiliated with the First United Methodist Church.
"It was a great opportunity," Executive Minister Connie Cole Jeske said.
She said the church enjoys partnering with other agencies to help the community.
Older residents, as well as low- income families who attend the church or Eugene Field Elementary School, with which First United Methodist has a long-standing partnership, were among those to receive the meals.
"We wanted to impact as many people as we possibly could with hot meals at Thanksgiving," Smith said, adding that it's about "looking at what you can do to help the citizens."
Original Print Headline: Firefighters take hot meals to Tulsans
Amanda Bland 918-581-8413
amanda.bland@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Tulsa firefighters Rasheem Revels (right) and Ryan Beeler carry boxes with Thanksgiving dinners for the needy to a waiting firetruck Wednesday at the firefighters union headquarters, 1283 S. Detroit Ave. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World
Tulsa firefighter Jimmy Ober loads a firetruck with Thanksgiving dinners Wednesday. The firefighters union raised the money to buy dozens of prepared meals for needy families in Tulsa. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World
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