R-5 hosts first Thanksgiving meal

Volunteers cleaning up after Thanksgiving Dinner

Nevada R-5 Superintendent

On Thanksgiving Day, the Nevada R-5 School District hosted its first, of hopefully many, Thanksgiving Celebrations for the community. Our inaugural event was a great success -- plenty of delicious food and plenty of kind volunteers.

There are so many people and businesses that I need to thank. First of all, I owe a great deal of gratitude for the community support that was poured out in the form of food. Our district food service company, OPAA, provided turkey, yams and hot rolls -- staples in a traditional Thanksgiving Feast. Chef Michael Richardson from Cottey College provided dressing -- very delicious dressing I might add. Allen Shepherd from 54 Cafe supplied green beans and Brenda Cadle, owner of Belle Rose Bistro, along with her family, provided and served the drinks all afternoon (as well as helped manage our kitchen -- no small task). The ladies from our district central office cleaned, peeled and cooked 100 pounds of potatoes and made gravy to round out the meal, while students from the district's culinary arts program baked fresh pies to serve for dessert. Finally, individuals from the community brought in more pies all morning!

Volunteers work in kitchen preparing dinner

We weren't short-handed in the volunteer aspect either. Nevada R-5 faculty and staff and several community members stepped up and gave up a part of their own Thanksgiving Day to greet and serve guests and to help with set up and clean up.

As I watched this day unfold, from food prep beginning at 8 a.m. to final clean-up, around 3 p.m., I was humbled and awestruck by the constant display of generosity and fellowship.

I am thankful for many things: my Savior, my family, this great country and the individuals who give all to protect it, the amazing group of people I'm privileged to work alongside every day. This Thanksgiving season though, I am particularly thankful to be a part of such a wonderful town. We aren't perfect by any means, but we care about each other. That seemed even more evident on Thanksgiving Day 2012.

Thank you, Nevada!