Milestone meal
Devin Weeks Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years AGO
Photos by DEVIN WEEKS/Press Lily McCormick of Rathdrum gives the thumbs up as she checks on one of her tables Thursday during the Lake City Center Free Thanksgiving Day Meal. About 130 pies, nearly 60 turkeys and plenty of other festive foods such as green bean casserole and mashed potatoes helped serve more than 1,500 meals.
Volunteer Leslie Woodfill and Sandy Howe of Coeur d’Alene exchange smiles as Woodfill serves one of the day’s first plates Thursday afternoon during the free Thanksgiving meal at Lake City Center.
Sally Ellingsen of Coeur d'Alene slices into a pumpkin pie as pie station attendants receive instructions and prepare to serve guests during the Lake City Center Free Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday. Left to right: Ellingsen, Dorie Langston of Coeur d'Alene, Ben DeClue, 18, of Bonners Ferry, Carrie Gibson of Coeur d'Alene, Faith Marias, 11, of Hayden, and Abi Maloney, 14, of Hayden. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Diane Raley of Post Falls cheerfully dishes up plates of tasty goodness Thursday during the Free Thanksgiving Day Meal at Lake City Center. About 130 volunteers helped with every aspect of the day, from dishwashing and deliveries to bussing tables and greeting guests. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Volunteer Ruby Phillips, 7, carefully transports a Thanksgiving meal with her mom, Tonya, during the free meal event at Lake City Center on Thursday. After volunteering, the mom and daughter spent quality time with Ruby's grandmother, Grammy, in Post Falls. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Grace Hoffman of Post Falls rushes down an aisle as she checks items off her server list Thursday during the Free Thanksgiving Day Meal at Lake City Center. Guests were served custom plates to suit their liking so they would feel right at home as they dined. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Romeo the service dog and his owner, who goes by "Romeo's Dad," pose for a photo in Lake City Center during the free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
COEUR d’ALENE — Although the scoops of mashed potatoes and stuffing were huge, the biggest scoop was the joy radiating from volunteers as they served others on Thanksgiving Day.
“I love doing this," said Lily McCormick of Rathdrum, who attentively checked on her tables and made sure everyone had exactly what they needed.
This was her eighth year working the Free Thanksgiving Day Meal at Lake City Center, which she did alongside her son, who was in his fifth year, and her son's girlfriend, who enjoyed her first year volunteering.
"The first year I ever did it, I said, ‘I will never not do this again,'" McCormick said. "I love it. It’s feel-good stuff."
The 20th annual Free Thanksgiving Day Meal was bustling well before the meals began to be served.
Volunteers in their aprons were at the ready at their stations, prepared to drizzle plates with gravy or put the finishing touches of whipped cream on desserts.
"She is so excited to do this," volunteer Tonya Phillips said of her 7-year-old daughter, Ruby, who was eager to help. "I’m so glad they had an opening because she just loves giving."
While the volunteers zoomed with unfaltering smiles, their guests reflected their kindness.
"I like everything," a soft-spoken Sandy Howe of Coeur d'Alene said with a grin as she received one of the first plates of the day.
"The food is good," said Ruben Ellerd of Coeur d'Alene, who also wore a smile as he sat across from Howe.
About 130 volunteers decorated, cooked, stirred, poured, sliced, plated, washed, served, greeted, delivered and otherwise contributed to another successful year for the event.
Vickie Hillicoss, who organizes the annual meal with her husband, Mike, said they were estimating to serve at least 1,500 meals. About 250 of those meals were delivered to those who could not come to the community meal in person.
"Mike and I and the center, we just choreograph it," Vickie said. "Everyone in the community are the ones who volunteer."
The volunteers who served as waiters and waitresses visited their tables to custom-order each plate for their guests. The servers asked if they wanted light or dark turkey meat, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole and yams, and of course, how much gravy did they prefer?
"We want it to be just like we’re sitting at home eating, having a home-cooked meal with 200 of our closest friends," Vickie said. "We want it to be exactly what they would have if they were sitting in our home."
The day also featured live singing and piano playing, meals to go and an appearance by Santa Claus.
"It's just wonderful," Vickie said. "Every year for 20 years, the community is just outpouring."
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