The fall season holds a special place in Teresa Parsons' heart.
She likes the changing leaves and enjoys the crisp autumn air but is especially excited about the arrival of the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Parsons, who has coordinated the community dinner since 2015, believes the dinner is all about helping her community.
"Being able to serve those who might not have anywhere else to go, whether it's feeding entire families who come to our event or delivering meals to shut-ins — that's what makes it all worthwhile," she said.
The annual Thanksgiving feast — held at the Boardman Senior Center — typically feeds anywhere between 150 to 300 people, according to Parsons.
Roots in The Community
The dinner began 16 years ago when Jane Akers and Penny Jurney found themselves, along with many others, snowed in during Thanksgiving. Akers, who passed away in 2018, had always dreamed of hosting such an event, and that weather-induced isolation provided the perfect opportunity to start.
"Jane Akers did most of the cooking, and then Penny Jurney did all the paperwork and she did all the delegating," Parsons said of the early years.
Akers was deeply involved in community service, serving as a charter member of the Boardman Fire Corps until her passing.
The organizational structure has evolved since those early days.
"I do not do the cooking. Bonnie Wagner does the cooking," Parsons said, noting that Wagner, a retired bus driver, is looking to pass the torch. "It's not real hard, but if you don't have the knowledge or the smarts to know what you're doing, you could lose it up big time."
Preparation & Dedication
Planning for the dinner begins in September when Parsons sends letters to potential donors. By October, she's inventorying equipment and beginning to rally volunteers. The first organizational meeting typically occurs in late October or early November.
"If it's not broken, don't fix it," Parsons said of her organizational approach, which follows a detailed handbook left by Jurney.
Volunteers are key to the dinner's success, with duties ranging from table setup to food preparation.
"They can set up my tables or the tables at the senior center," Parsons said. "They can help roll silverware, help put butter in dishes, the cranberries in dishes, olives in dishes. They can cook the corn up."
While the event has historically relied on a core group of dedicated volunteers, the roster has changed in recent years.
"We did have (regular volunteers) until, unfortunately, we lost Jane," Parsons explained. "When we lost Jane, we lost a lot of our volunteers, only because they were moving on with their life."
Today, many volunteers are high school students, with seniors and juniors stepping up to help.
The cooking, led by Wagner, begins the day before Thanksgiving, with some dishes prepared just hours before serving. The meal is served from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Senior Center, following a 1:30 p.m. praise service.
Community Effort
The event requires between 25 to 45 volunteers to run smoothly and includes a delivery service for those unable to attend in person.
"If they need a meal delivered due to them being a shut-in, that is available," Parsons said.
Many local businesses contribute significantly, including Lamb Weston which provides mashed potatoes, and River Lodge which donates items like olives, bread, and cranberry sauce.
"I depend on the volunteers," Parsons said. "I'm getting goosebumps just talking about it. I don't think that feeling has ever hit me until somebody asked me about it."
A Community Tradition
Rick Weiss, pastor of the First Baptist Church and president of the Senior Center Board, says the dinner has become woven into the fabric of Boardman life.
"Since the Thanksgiving Community Dinner began, it has been the featured Thanksgiving event for the whole community," he said. "Even those who don't participate are fully aware of the event, and provide promotion, funds and encouragement in order to make sure it is successful and well attended."
The dinner's success, Weiss notes, comes from both careful planning and dedicated volunteers.
"Teresa inherited a plan to make the dinner go smoothly from the 2 ladies who started the dinner," he said. "They taught her how to put it all together, especially by providing a consistent group of volunteer committee members who often participate year after year. They have it down so well, that most of us know what to do and when."
The community's support extends beyond volunteering time.
"Every church in the community and many businesses are asked to contribute funds," Weiss said. "It is 1 of the most appreciated community events of the year."
Giving Back
The dinner's impact extends beyond Thanksgiving Day. Excess funds are saved for the following year's event, with the remainder going back to community members in need.
"This Thanksgiving dinner, we will save money for next year and then whatever money is left over, we give back to the community, to people who need rent money, or gas money," Parsons said. "They're just down on their luck, doctor's appointments, stuff like that."
The event, while challenging to organize, has run smoothly over the years.
"We've not had too many hiccups, and we just pick up where we leave off. We act like we didn't even have a problem," she said. "Again, it goes back to, 'If it's not broken, don't fix it.'"
For Parsons, it's more than just a dinner — it's about creating connections.
"I just really, really enjoy the people more than anything," she said. "I always loved big dinners and when I got to Boardman, this fell right in place for me."