Volunteers preparing 8th annual free Thanksgiving dinner
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VOLUNTEERS PREPARING 8TH ANNUAL FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER 11/20/2001. Tomah mayor and gubernatorial candidate Ed Thompson is busy this week gearing up for the 8th annual community Thanksgiving dinner at the Tee Pee Supper Club in Tomah. Thompson started the annual community event when he purchased the Tee Pee in 1993. "I was so happy that the people of Tomah welcomed me back, I wanted to do something for them," said Thompson. "Before I got the Tee Pee back, I was making less than $300 a month," he said. "I was so happy to finally be making some money." Besides Thompson, several area community leaders and volunteers help out with the event. Tomah resident Mary Tralmer has helped organize the event since day one. "When we first started, there were a few of us that were bumbling around trying to get things together," she said. For the most part, the original people who helped Thompson start the event are still participating and it is running as smooth as ever," she said. "Each of us is in charge of a different aspect of the day," she said. Tralmer helps coordinate the delivery of the meals. "Last year we delivered more than 450 meals," she said. The majority of the meals end up in Tomah, but some are taken as far away as Warrens and Camp Douglas. "There's really a variety of people who get the meals at home," she said. "It ranges from the elderly and homebound to needy individuals and families." Harlow Fox is also a long-time resident of Tomah who has helped with the event since day one. Fox, along with Lloyd "Feets" Cramer and Jim Chitwood Sr., helps coordinate the collection of the more than 100 pies donated by members of area churches. "The pies start rolling in Wednesday afternoon," said Fox. "We usually have a group of men who come in at 6:00 Thursday morning to start slicing." "The community involvement is great," said Thompson. "This isn't just for needy people. It's for anyone who doesn't want to be alone on Thanksgiving." Volunteers start cooking the turkeys on Wednesday in time for the meal, which starts at 11 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. "No one stands in line," said Thompson. Volunteers cook, serve, and cleanup after the event. "It's great to see the family involvement for this event," said Tralmer. "There are a number of parents who bring their children to the event before their family Thanksgiving." Persons interested in helping out with the event or talking with organizers can contact the Tee Pee at (608) 372-0888. |
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