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They just show up

Volunteers are key to Thanksgiving dinner effort

By Hans Madsen 3 min read

There were dozens and dozens of volunteers on hand Thursday to help with the annual community Thanksgiving dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota.

None of them had to be asked to be there.

Dealership co-owner Casey Johnson said they basically just materialize.

"We never ask," he said, "A hundred people show up. Not just here at the dealership, but also at Iowa Central to help deliver meals. This is a wonderful, beautiful community."

Patrick Mashburn, of Farmersville, Texas, was in the area. He's an over-the-road truck driver. His friend Galen Andrews, of Eagle Grove, mentioned the event.

"He was in the area, I stepped in, said how about if we come here," Andrews said.

"I absolutely agreed, I'm super glad I came," Mashburn said. "I'm amazed that a dealership has taken this on."

After their stint working, the pair enjoyed the meal.

"It's top notch," Andrews said.

Volunteer Curt Messerly, of Fort Dodge, showed up at 9 a.m.

He came last year and managed to survive what he called the "Great Mixup of 2023."

"We got done helping," he said. "There was no food left so I had to take my wife to the Community for Thanksgiving dinner."

He was enjoying the experience, finding the time goes quickly.

"It just flew by," he said.

Volunteer Robert Righi, of Peoria, Illinois, has been spending time in Fort Dodge helping out family members. He heard about the dinner through an ad.

"I said, you know what, I want to give back," Righi said. "It's a wonderful, caring community."

The food for the dinner is prepared by the Iowa Central Community College culinary arts students. It's a two week long project.

Student Mackynzie Schroeder, of Clinton, was serving up vegetables

"We've been doing this for two weeks," she said. "I love being here today and seeing all the people."

One of those was Ruby Jacobsen, of Fort Dodge. She's been attending every year since 2014.

She has another reason, besides the food and company.

"It's just to see Casey," she said after getting a Casey Johnson hug. "I got to get my hugs."

For some of the younger volunteers, the day was about learning valuable life lessons.

Jen Crimmins, of Fort Dodge, brought her daughter Olivia Crimmins, 5. She was helping to make sure everything got into the take-out bags being filled.

"I grew up helping out," Jen Crimmins said. "I hope they learn to help, that they want to help. We fill our baskets by filling other people's baskets."

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