To the Editor:

I am expressing my gratitude and appreciation for all the volunteer help during the Elks Community Thanksgiving dinner. This dinner was provided at no charge by the John Day Elks Lodge, thanks to a grant from the Elks National Foundation. This is one of three grants we receive to share our benevolent work with the community, the others helping with the Halloween children and teen parties and the high school proms.

Prep work started at the beginning of the week, including setting up the dining room with assistance from Bob Van Voorhis. Thanksgiving Day started at 5 a.m. with Charlie Caughlin and Calvin Clark firing up the Traeger to smoke and then cook the 16 turkeys. Other helpers during the day included Chris Bare, Lance Barker, the Comer family — Russ, Sheila, Andrea and Leah — Dale Finley, Vern Flanary, Ron Hanson, Alan and Roni Hickerson, Greg Irwin, Garrett Jennings, Steve Summers and Mark and Aileen Womer. Over 80 meals were delivered to homes from Mt. Vernon to Prairie City by Chris Bare, Charlie Caughlin, Garrett Jennings, Sharon Kimberling and Steve Summers. Only 100 meals were served at the Lodge; the low number was probably due to bad road conditions.

This team effort made the day a great success.

Tom Winters

Exalted ruler, John Day Elks Lodge