Community Corner

Patch Serves Needy Thanksgiving Dinner

The local editor of Rocky Hill Patch and his mom volunteered at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Hartford on Thanksgiving.

 

Rocky Hill Patch Local Editor and his mother, Jackie, spent their Thanksgiving helping feed the needy in Hartford.

For the past 20 years, Sandra Cooper and Catherine Bell have organized a Thanksgiving Day dinner at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Hartford for those less fortunate.

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"It could be me on the other side," Bell stated about why she volunteers her time.

Between 300 to 500 people are treated to a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. After they eat, each visitor is given a meal to take home, bread and pastries from a local bakery and clothing and jackets.

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Bell is a jokester and never raises her voice, according to volunteer Terri Shanks of Windsor Locks. Cooper is a stern leader who keeps everyone organized, but has a heart of gold, she added.

"They are truly great people (Bell and Cooper) and very kind,” said volunteer Tracy Reid of Ellington.

Cooper told the over 50 volunteers that she was a "thankful and grateful individual" for all the help and love she received Thursday.

"I can't thank you enough. I wish you all a hearty welcome. We are truly blessed to be able to get up this morning."

Bell echoed her friend’s sediment.

"It is a rush. I come down here because of all of you (volunteers). It is amazing."

Reid has been volunteering at the church since her 14-year old son, Hunter was five years old. Reid, who is a teacher at the , was homeless once in her life and never forgets how she had to sleep in her car.

She said it is difficult to see the children who need the hot meal. Last Christmas, a young boy came to the church with sweatpants that were too short and sneakers with no socks and all she wanted to do was give him a hug.

"It broke my heart."

Shanks, who works with special education children at , has been volunteering for 14 years at Shiloh Baptist Church in Hartford. The volunteers were younger this year than years past and many were new to volunteering, she added.

Volunteers, clothing and unwrapped toys are needed for the Christmas dinner. For information about the church or to volunteer, call 860-522-0907 or 860-728-9570 or visit their website.

 

Editor's Note: I want to personally thank Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Cooper for letting my mother and me help out with their holiday tradition. It was truly an honor and experience that I will never forget. I realized how truly blessed I am and my mom and me plan to volunteer again in the near future.


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