Letter to the Editor: It takes just one

Editor:

Thanks goes out to so many people for supporting the 2015 Community Thanksgiving Dinner. As I reflect on another successful year, my thoughts are this: It takes just one.

One conversation with Alan to confirm the commitment to Thanksgiving 2015. One request to the donor to fund the dinner. One phone call to check in with Chef Peter. One phone call to Gus Sharp to secure his support to manage the deliveries. Just one phone call to Gary & Leo’s Fresh Foods to confirm their support to bake turkeys, pies and rolls. Just one grocery list. Just one newspaper article to announce the upcoming dinner. One phone call to New Media Broadcasters to schedule an interview with Brandon; just one interview broadcasted many times. One list at the North Center Senior Citizens Center. It takes just one phone call to the Senior Citizens Center to order a meal to be delivered. One special place, St. Jude Parish Center. 

It was one email delivered campus-wide at Montana State University-Northern which connected volunteers to the dinner activities.  It was just one men’s basketball team which brought many hands to the action; one women’s basketball team which brought smiles to the dining room. Just one hockey team that showed up throughout the two days of activities to help in any way possible.

It was just one young man working toward a goal which brought his mother and siblings to the kitchen. One Scout badge to be earned. One individual volunteer many times over coming in to lend a hand.

It was one couple who drove in from Turner to spend the day helping others. One moment in the dining room to understand the mission and to take my breath away and remind me how important a meal can be to another person.

It just takes one person, one moment, one phone call, one smile, one team, one family, one conversation to make a difference in someone’s life this holiday season and always I hope you can be that one! Thank you to every one! 

Debi Rhines