THUNDER BAY -- Jon Cuthbertson is used to helping his city in dramatic situations.
But he’ll gladly do it in a much slower and festive manner.
Cuthbertson, along with other volunteers from the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters’ Association, helped serve about 320 people a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday afternoon at the Salvation Army’s annual holiday feast.
“As a firefighter we serve the community and are really glad to help,” he said. “We’re just here to give a little back.”
Many of the firefighters brought members of their family along with them to help prepare and serve the meal.
Cuthbertson, who brought Cayleigh Fossum-Martin with him, believes it’s important for the younger generations to see the need that exists.
“It’s great to bring Cayleigh or any youth to an event like this so they can see what different members of the community to have and how important it is to carry on a tradition of helping others,” Cuthbertson said.
Cayleigh enjoyed the experience and said it makes her more thankful for what she has.
“I feel happy helping others who aren’t as fortunate as us,” she said.
Salvation Army executive director Maj. Rob Kerr appreciates the support of the firefighters and said having their families involved adds a special atmosphere to the dinner.
“When they bring their families along they’re showing their kids this is important to be a part of and it makes it a family event for them,” Kerr said. They as a family get to give back to the community.”
There were 14 turkeys, each at least 20 pounds, cooked along with large helpings of stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad and pie.
The Dew Drop Inn served their annual Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, expecting to feed nearly as many people.
Dew Drop Inn manager Julio Chiodo said preparations, which included cooking 24 turkeys and four leg hams, had begun on Friday in advance of the feast.
There were close to 25 volunteers helping set the meal, which volunteer Noella Camire said many were high school students.
“I think it’s a real eye opener,” she said. “It’s teaching them an awful lot of respect for others and how much of a need there is for these patrons.”
Don Friday is a longtime volunteer for the dinner, helping for about 20 years.
He said the need in the community has definitely grown since he first started, which validates the importance of the dinners.
“When I first started coming there were maybe 100 people. Now we get 300,” Friday said.
The Shelter House also held their Thanksgiving dinner on Monday.
