Community gives thanks

Thanksgiving Day for many local residents represented a chance to spend time with hundreds of people, creating a sense of community even among strangers.

"It's wonderful to be able to see a lot of people you don't know but who come together," said William Hughley, while eating Thanksgiving dinner shortly before noon at the First Tennessee Pavilion. "I'm enjoying everyone coming together and taking time to serve."

Mr. Hughley attended his first Unity in the Community Thanksgiving meal. The coalition of local social service agencies, churches, restaurants, businesses and the city put on its third annual Thanksgiving meal Thursday. Volunteers served turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie; passed out hot drinks; and distributed clothing to those in need. Mayor Ron Littlefield, City Councilman Manny Rico and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., also attended.

Organizers expected to draw at least 2,000 people, said Sharon Myers, coordinator for Unity in the Community. For the last two years, the coalition reached out to the homeless in the area. But with the dinner's overwhelming success, organizers decided to make the event even bigger.

"There are so many families that are struggling in this economy," Ms. Myers said. "And we thought we could be the extended family of those without families."

Sabrina Wikle has volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner at various locations for several years, including at the pavilion. She said it's important to help others when she has been blessed with so much.

"I think the community's seeing we support the homeless and people down on their luck," she said. "The volunteers get as much out of it as the people who come."

Others in Chattanooga spent Thanksgiving morning participating in the Grateful Gobbler Walk, which benefited the Agencies of the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition, or running in the Turkey Trot, which benefited the Kidney Foundation of Tennessee.

In Dalton, Ga., Harvest Outreach Ministries sponsored the 23rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Concert for the Hungry at the North Georgia Fairgrounds. The event brought people together from Tennessee and Georgia to eat and volunteer, said Sheila Reed, the founder and director of Harvest Outreach.

"Due to so many layoffs and people not having any food -- I heard people tell me they didn't have anything," she said.

Betty Motley, of Dalton, said she appreciated the community atmosphere the dinner offered.

"You get to meet people," she said. "I've seen a lot of people today I haven't seen in forever."