Copake Volunteers serve Thanksgiving dinners

COPAKE — Thaksgiving Day, Nov. 28, saw 22 volunteers serving 167 free meals at the Copake Comunity Center at 305 Mountain View Road.

Among those giving their time were Dru Ary, Peggy Anderson, Noah Shackelton, Taylor Shackelton and Ted Urban.

A tradition for more than 15 years, according to Vice President of Consistency Kathy Wheeler of the host West Copake Reformed Church, while some organizations seem to have difficulty finding volunteers for Thanksgiving Day, that has never been a problem for them.

In addition to providing a feast, Wheeler emphasized that the event allows for a gathering for those who otherwise might be celebrating alone or not at all. She recalls a woman arriving several years ago saying that she was new to the area and didn’t know anyone. Wheeler took her over to a table with some other women and within five minutes she had made friends and they were “all talking and laughing together.”

Individuals and the newly arrived Freshtown of Hillsdale donated supplies. Our Lady of Hope and Saint John of the Wilderness both in Copake Falls, the Copake United Methodist Church and the host church also provided turkeys, desserts and volunteers who made the day a success.

Leftovers were sent to The Salvation Army in Hudson where others were served.