Rain or shine, the Honda Center in Anaheim has been serving Thanksgiving dinner to Thousands of people on Thanksgiving Day for 25 years.  My family and I left Laguna Niguel and drove to Anaheim to have a very rewarding Thanksgiving Day.  Along with 2,000 other volunteers we went to serve the 20,000 people who would arrive to be fed turkey and all of the trimmings.  When we arrived the band was playing and people were standing in lines to be fed.  We stood in the volunteer line and met wonderful giving people, who came to help from the goodness of their hearts.

As we stood in line my children got to observe the many folks who came to join in the festivities and receive a free meal.  The Anaheim Ducks players served food and walked around greeting the old and young who came on buses, cars and bicycles.  Large families, single people, old and young filled the parking lot of the Honda center enjoying a free hot meal. 

We were given a t-shirt, gloves, and apron and led to the kitchen to start serving.  I carried trays to the serving line while my family helped scoop and serve the food.

According to the Orange County Register around 600 turkeys, 3000 pies, 100 pounds of gravy, 5,000 pounds of potatoes, 1,000 pounds of yellow squash, along with thousands of dinner rolls, green beans with almonds and stuffing were served to the 20,000 people who came to get a free hot meal. 

Everyone was so happy to receive and to give.  It definitely showed us what the true meaning of Thanksgiving is all about.  This will be a family tradition for a long time to come.  If you wish to join us next year, please let me know – Thanks!

Comments are closed.