By Kaitlyn Rigdon
Staff Writer
The El Dorado Salvation Army held their annual Thanksgiving lunch Thursday, where volunteers and individuals came together at the Red Shield Diner to celebrate the holiday with food and camaraderie.
The tables were decorated for Thanksgiving and volunteers passed out plates and drinks for the individuals to indulge.
El Dorado Salvation Army Capt. Jason Perdieu said they had spent a lot of hours the last few days cooking and preparing for the lunch. All of the food was prepared in the Salvation Army kitchen, including the turkeys, which were donated.
The event was Perdieu’s first Thanksgiving lunch with the El Dorado Salvation Army and said that they really didn’t know what to expect.
Perdieu said the lunch went very well and smooth, adding that there were a lot of volunteers … “it’s awesome.”
“I thought it was going to be little more chaotic than this, but everyone is cooperating, we’re working together,” he said.
Volunteers like Beryl Jacobs and Sue Jacobs we’re helping the Salvation Army for the first time this thanksgiving. Beryl Jacobs said he thought the lunch was going great and a lot smoother than anticipated.
“The Salvation Army does a lot of good things for a lot of people and we just, my wife and I, thought we’d sacrifice our thanksgiving to come and help somebody else,” Beryl Jacobs said.
Volunteer Kelly Hubbard said three generations of her family were volunteering for the first time Thursday as well. Her, her parents and her grandparents wanted to give back and help out for Thanksgiving, she said.
“My [grandma] was the one that got us all pumped about it,” Hubbard said. “God is good. He has blessed us so much and we wanted to bless others.”
Timothy Boone, receiving food at the lunch, said he liked the lunch and that the food was good.
“I came to be with my grandma to spend a couple of seconds with her,” Boone said. “I know that’s what she likes to do.”
Boone added that he was thankful for God waking them up that morning and “allowing us to see another day.”
Susan Rebecca Goodwin also said the food was good and that what the Salvation Army does for Thanksgiving “is a great thing and a blessing.”
Goodwin added that she was most thankful for her family.
When the individuals entered the Red Shield Diner, they were given tickets to receive a to-go plate outside to take home with them. The Salvation Army was not open for dinner, but individuals were still able to get a plate of food for Thanksgiving night.
To volunteer or receive assistance at The Salvation Army, call 870-863-4630 or visit them at 419 S. Madison Ave.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].