LAHARPE — Rich or poor, young or old, one’s social status matters not to a group of volunteers preparing a community Thanksgiving feast and other projects to aid the needy for the holidays.
The meal, which will be served at LaHarpe’s City Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day is for anyone in the community who may be alone, noted Barb Crites, chairman of the LaHarpe Days Homecoming Committee, which is organizing the meal.
“That’s why we are having this on Thursday and not some other day,” Crites said. “It’s hardest to be alone on the holiday. We know there are people out of work who may be struggling with coming up with a decent meal for Thanksgiving.”
The meals will be provided for a free-will offering.
So far, 11 volunteers have signed up to contribute.
“We have three turkeys, so we really need other fixings more than anything,” she said.
Volunteers also will be on hand to deliver meals to shut-ins if necessary.
Crites said other donations would be accepted. Anybody willing to show up Thursday to lend a hand for a while also would be appreciated.
The meal will serve as a fundraiser for the LaHarpe Days Homecoming Committee and LaHarpe PRIDE.
THANKSGIVING also marks the start of the committee’s “Giving Tree” campaign.
Committee members have been collecting names of folks around town who may need something for the holidays.
“It doesn’t matter if this person is poor or wealthy,” Crites said. “We don’t care. This is for anybody who needs anything, whether they’ve lost a spouse or a child, whether they’re living alone, whatever. We’re not going by any sort of requirements.”
Through the Giving Tree, ornaments featuring tags with the recipient’s initials will be placed on a large tree being erected today at City Hall.
The donor takes the ornament home to keep, while using the tag as ideas for a small gift. The tag may list clothing size or specific need.
The donor must bring in the wrapped gift to City Hall by Dec. 20 so it can be delivered by Christmas.
“It doesn’t have to be expensive,” Crites said. “You could bring in a gift bag filled with apples and oranges.”
Crites, for example, will donate jars of her homemade jam.
Those wishing to nominate folks in need must have the names of the recipients at City Hall by Wednesday. A sign-up sheet has been posted in the LaHarpe Library.
THE THIRD leg of the committee’s community service projects also happens to be a fundraiser.
The group will host drawings each month for the winner to receive up to $100 off of the utility bill of their choice.
Drawings will be each month during the LaHarpe Days Committee meeting. The committee’s next meeting is Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets for the drawing cost $1 apiece and can be purchased from any LaHarpe Days Committee member. Other tickets will be avialable at Angelia’s Cafe and at the library.
Crites noted that the drawings aren’t just for LaHarpe residents.
“It’s for anybody in the state, for that matter,” Crites said. “And it can go to any utility bill they choose. If somebody thinks they need to pay their gas bill before their electric bill, they’re free to do so.”
For more information, call (620) 496-2260.
