Volunteers help serve Thanksgiving baskets to needy families
By KIM WEATHERLEY Special to the Daily Press
SMC — Thousands of less fortunate individuals will enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner today, courtesy of heartfelt donations from a Santa Monica organization.
The Heartfelt Foundation of Santa Monica this past weekend hosted its annual Thanksgiving event at Santa Monica Community College, where 1,200 people — about 300 families — were given a chance to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with the traditional fare.
Olivia Jones, a recipient, plans to spend today with her daughter.
“For so many people, Thanksgiving is important,” she said. “You give something to the community, and the community gives back to you. I’m really proud of (this event). So many people came forward, and this is helping a lot. I hope they keep it up. I know sometimes they can’t.”
The line started to form more than three hours before the gates opened on Saturday. Hundreds of hungry families waited for their Thanksgiving meals, given to them in baskets. Within two hours, the line had wrapped around the block.
Families of three or more received a basket that would feed every member of their family this Thanksgiving. Each basket included a variety of Thanksgiving fixings, such as tortilla chips and tortillas, potatoes, stuffing, canned goods, rice, fresh-baked bread, donuts, coffee, soup, granola bars, pies, beans, pasta, cereal, cranberry sauce and gift certificates for turkeys.
In each basket was a note from the person who packed it. One in particular read, “Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you the best from the Louisville class of ’007.”
Smaller families were given a $20 gift certificate from a local market.
“A lot of people can’t afford a Thanksgiving, and this will really brighten up their lives and make it a special day,” said Amelia Bellinger, a Louisville High School volunteer.
The atmosphere resembled a childhood carnival. The parking lot was decorated with balloons and Happy Thanksgiving banners, and dried Indian corn lined the table tops. The event had games such as basketball, football, a bean bag toss, as well as a popcorn machine and two inflatable jumping stations. There were arts and crafts tables, where the children could make construction-paper wreaths, decorations and bookmarks. Removable tattoos, face painting and bubble-making also were available.
Refreshments, including water, cookies, pie, turkey wraps and sloppy joes, were donated by local businesses.
“There are so many families touched,” said seven-year volunteer and Heartfelt board member Sonia Trejo. “It’s heart-warming and gratifying to be able to do this for people who are less fortunate.”
Additional goodies were also given away. Retailer Lambs and Ivy donated several items, including baby bedding, chairs, children’s plates, school supplies and teddy bears.
The Heartfelt Foundation is a Santa Monica-based non-profit organization founded in 1979 to assist individuals, families and the community in the greater Los Angeles area, throughout the United States, and around the world through support services, food and supplies, volunteer time and financial aid. The foundation works with local service agencies year-round to help families in need.
“We serve the underserved and provide projects where families, teens and children can learn how to serve,” said Patti Rayner, executive director of the Heartfelt Foundation.
The foundation relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses in the community and private grants to continue its efforts. Without the donations, an event like this would cost more than $20,000, Rayner said.
Since September 11, 2001, the foundation has experienced a 50 percent decrease in funding and is finding itself more dependent than ever on donations, particularly because there are more people in need these days.
Volunteers also are key to the organization’s success. The volunteers organize and participate in several projects throughout the year. More than 200 volunteers from all over Santa Monica worked day and night to prepare for the Thanksgiving event.
“I think it’s a wonderful way to show those that are less fortunate that the community does care about them,” said volunteer Sylvia Dunbar.
Volunteers came from all over LA, including Lightstorm Entertainment, Show 24, Louisville High School, Students for a Better Tomorrow, Singles Helping Others, Taiwanese-American Professionals, Girl Scouts and Michaels Crafts, which donated hand-made baby blankets for the occasion.
Mission Tortillas, Lambs and Ivy, Sloppy JoJo’s, a local bakery and SMC were major contributors for the occasion.
“Santa Monica College is very happy to be a part of this event,” said Charlie Yen, the director of events at SMC. “We’re a part of this community. I hope this event will encourage the recipients to better their lives and get an education and give back to the community.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 25, 2004. Read the original PDF.