Thanksgiving Day preparations have been underway for days at the Salvation Army's Arkansas Oklahoma chapter in Fort Smith. Dozens of workers and volunteers have been baking birds and stirring stuffing. 5NEWS attended the feast.
"I believe my cooks said they've done close to 40 turkeys," Captain Carlyle Gargis said.
The kitchen opened three days ago. It was nothing short of a feast fit for kings.
"Wonderful table, a banquet table if you will here at the Salvation Army," he told 5NEWS.
Smiles and stories were shared around the table as staff, volunteers, and guests sat together. A long line had already formed by the time the first plate was filled. Captain Gargis met with the volunteers before the guests arrived.
"I looked around the room, and I said for some we have no idea why they may be here today what brought them here to serve," Gargis said. "I said, 'For some of you it may be your first thanksgiving without a loved one or a spouse', and I kind of saw some heads go down in the room."
The outpouring of support on this day of thanks at the Salvation Army truly was remarkable. The captain says he was surprised at the number of volunteers who came.
"We had somewhere between 80 to 90 volunteers and we were expecting somewhere in the 30 to 40 range."
Volunteer Jenny Wright said, "This is something I've wanted to do every single year. You know it's always been on my heart, but I've always been serving our family and fixin' meals for our entire family."
Wright says she didn't have to do the cooking for her family this year, so she came to serve at the Salvation Army. She planned to spend the afternoon with her sons. Everyone we talked to, volunteer or guest, was thankful for something.
"I'm just thankful for another day not yet promised to me," one man said
Another woman added, "For my kids. For Jesus, for this place, for all my friends."
And for some, the organization itself is reason to give thanks.
"I'm just thankful for the Salvation Army," one woman said. "You know I don't have a home so I'm living there right now so it really has made a difference for me."
If you're looking to volunteer or help this holiday season, the Salvation Army could use a few good bell ringers. Volunteers can work a few hours. Plus, stop by the Angel Trees at various locations across our area and make sure kids have a happy Christmas.
"I believe my cooks said they've done close to 40 turkeys," Captain Carlyle Gargis said.
The kitchen opened three days ago. It was nothing short of a feast fit for kings.
"Wonderful table, a banquet table if you will here at the Salvation Army," he told 5NEWS.
Smiles and stories were shared around the table as staff, volunteers, and guests sat together. A long line had already formed by the time the first plate was filled. Captain Gargis met with the volunteers before the guests arrived.
"I looked around the room, and I said for some we have no idea why they may be here today what brought them here to serve," Gargis said. "I said, 'For some of you it may be your first thanksgiving without a loved one or a spouse', and I kind of saw some heads go down in the room."
The outpouring of support on this day of thanks at the Salvation Army truly was remarkable. The captain says he was surprised at the number of volunteers who came.
"We had somewhere between 80 to 90 volunteers and we were expecting somewhere in the 30 to 40 range."
Volunteer Jenny Wright said, "This is something I've wanted to do every single year. You know it's always been on my heart, but I've always been serving our family and fixin' meals for our entire family."
Wright says she didn't have to do the cooking for her family this year, so she came to serve at the Salvation Army. She planned to spend the afternoon with her sons. Everyone we talked to, volunteer or guest, was thankful for something.
"I'm just thankful for another day not yet promised to me," one man said
Another woman added, "For my kids. For Jesus, for this place, for all my friends."
And for some, the organization itself is reason to give thanks.
"I'm just thankful for the Salvation Army," one woman said. "You know I don't have a home so I'm living there right now so it really has made a difference for me."
If you're looking to volunteer or help this holiday season, the Salvation Army could use a few good bell ringers. Volunteers can work a few hours. Plus, stop by the Angel Trees at various locations across our area and make sure kids have a happy Christmas.
