The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Close to 200 members of the Sisters community feasted together at the third Annual Sisters Community Thanksgiving Dinner last Thursday afternoon.

Several volunteers, led by a dedicated group of three, worked hard beginning in September, planning and preparing a full Thanksgiving dinner. Jennifer Seher and Deri Frazee came up with the idea together three years ago.

"There are elderly and disabled folks as well as others that may not have the means to sit down and have a meal like this," said Seher. "And that's what Thanksgiving is - it's not religious, it's not political; it's a chance to gather and spend a meal with friends and family."

The community meal included turkey, ham, potatoes, green beans, rolls, cranberries, stuffing and assorted desserts. Local community members donated funds to help the event get off the ground three years ago, and this year so many local businesses stepped up to help that most of the food was donated.

Ray's Food Place donated the turkeys. McDonald's wholesaler, a local organic farm, and others donated food as well.

In addition, Sisters Community Church donated their space to host the event, Mission Linen contributed linens and Three Sisters Floral donated flowers for all the tables this year. Community members and organizations also donated funds to help offset the cost of those items that weren't donated.

Kimber Finney helped to coordinate families and community members who volunteered their time to help set up, serve dinner, and clean up.

"The first year we did the event it cost about $1,100," said Seher. "This year, with so many donations, the cost came to just under $400."

Seher hopes to save some seed money from donations this year to ensure next year's event is funded, as well as donating some of the additional funds to help with the community Christmas dinner at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Hall.

"This is what our community does," said Seher. "We take care of each other. It's just what we do."