~ PVN staff report
LURAY, Nov. 10 — Luray resident Debbie Spinner hoped to promote a spirit of sharing and caring among Page County residents when she launched the first Community Thanksgiving in Luray more than two decades ago. Spinner, who passed away in April, saw a need and took action. Now, both her generous spirit and her Thanksgiving tradition are living on.
The 21st annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held in Spinner’s memory from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 25 at the American Legion on Zerkel Street in Luray (adjacent to Inn Lawn Park and the Page Public Library – both of which sit next to the Visitor’s Center/depot along the railroad tracks).
Those planning to attend should note that there are a few changes this year for meal distribution. There will be no dine-in seating available at the American Legion. All Thanksgiving Day dinners will be served for to-go, pick-up or delivery during the three-hour window noted above.
The free dinners will include turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing, dessert and other donated dishes.
The dinner is open to the public and sponsored by the grassroots organization A Caring Group of People. Organizers are asking the community to contribute traditional Thanksgiving meats, sides, desserts, tableware, serving containers, and bottled water. Monetary donations are also welcome.
Volunteers are also needed to work in the kitchen, fill to-go containers, and deliver meals to shut-ins and service providers as has been done over the past 20 years.
Anyone interested in helping by volunteering in person or food donation, may call or text Betty Knowles at (540) 742-1697, Terri Mayes at (540) 244-7971, Jeff and Mary Turner at (540) 244-4470, or Alison Coltrane at (540) 244-5652 (text please).
Dinner requests will be taken starting Monday, Nov. 15.
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