On The Town:

While the vast majority of us are guilty of allowing the preparatory logistics of the holidays to eclipse the true meaning and enjoyment of these special days that cap off the year, there are those in our midst who choose to see beyond themselves and whose preparations include the consideration and care of those they don’t even know. It is for people such as these that we as a community must be most grateful.

Last Wednesday evening, as most Burbankers were finalizing their shopping, deep into preparations for Thursday’s turkeyfest, or hitting the road to spend the holiday with loved ones, the staff and volunteers of the Burbank Salvation Army and the Catholic community of St. Finbar Church were busy providing meals to members of our community who would otherwise not have the opportunity to enjoy the day’s traditional feast.

As the sun began to set on Thanksgiving eve, tables were set and last-minute preparations were well underway at the Salvation Army. Prior to the first of the evening’s two dinner servings, Salvation Army board member Richard Raad gave final instructions and thanks to Cole Cooper, Sophia Mike, John Lee, Jessica Hoagland, Christina Nazlikian, Francisco Garza and other students from Bellarmine-Jefferson High School who had volunteered to serve as the evening’s wait staff.

Meanwhile, Kirk Christensen and Suzanne Cox were busy in the kitchen putting the final touches on the 450 pounds of turkey, 90 pounds of stuffing and 55 pounds of corn that would soon be served.

With his waiters and waitress in place, Radd stationed fellow board members and volunteers Gary McDiffett, Brandon Paz, Lee Stacy, Rose Powers, Marsha Floyd, Dee Dee Ruhlow, Violet Nesbitt, Bonnie Borrow and others behind the serving tables as huge pans of food were placed in front of them.

Moments later, the doors to the East Angeleno Avenue facility swung open to receive more than 100 men, women and children who were warmly greeted to the organization’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner by Salvation Army Capt. Marcos Marquez, Roberta Morgan and Pete McGrath.

Others who generously gave of themselves to make the dinner possible included Bob Tomer, George Mauney, Elaine Paonessa and Bill Marles, who took to the keyboard to provide the evening’s dinner music.