CLIO — A pandemic didn’t stop citizens of Clio from preparing and giving Thanksgiving meals to fellow residents.
Instead of the usual sit-down meal, the Town of Clio annual Thanksgiving Dinner was held Nov. 21 at the Clio Community Center with people driving up or coming inside to pick up to-go plates filled with turkey, ham, dressing, and other items.
Eva McRae, one of the organizers of the event, said it is held annually to give back to the community by having carry-out only.
Volunteers from the community and churches prepared the turkey, dressing, ham, and other items.
The goal was to give away 200 plates with sodas and desserts.
McRae wasn’t worried about giving the plates away.
“I just hope we have enough,” she said.
Thirty-two were taken to Dundee Manor and 25 were delivered to the homebound.
And to make sure everyone was well, temperature checks, masks, and social distancing were done.
McRae thanked Rep. Pat Henegan, Sheriff Charles Lemon, Lt. Sammy Crosland, County Council member Anthony Woods, incoming County Council member Dr. Damien Johnson, Clio Mayor Ben Petrone, and Clio council members, and Tim McCoy of Clio Recreation and all others.
“They came out to give back to the community,” she said.
Clio Police Chief Will Horne was thankful that people were able to come out and get the meals.
It has been a tough time for everybody, he added, with so much isolation and things being closed.
“It means a lot for us that are here in the town,” Horne said. “The season is about being together, about love and family. It is about the community coming together. Even though they can’t come and sit down together but you see how happy people are. They are happy just to be here.”
Johnson said he was thankful for the opportunity to be able to serve.
“In a moment when many people need love, care, and guidance, it is just the ability to be able to be out here on an occasion like this to see so many people. I am thankful for the many blessings we still have and looking forward to continuing to serve in the future.”
Woods was happy to see all of the volunteers who cooked, served, and helped out where they can.
“It is just a small token of helping out each other,” he said. “In a small community, each one needs to help one. It is a great day.”
Woods added he was thankful to be able to be there in the moment because people have lost family and friends to the pandemic.
“Overall, everything is in God’s hands,” he said. “I am asking everyone to continue to pray for each other, pray for our nation. I am thankful right now to just be here another day because tomorrow is not promised.”
Sheriff Charles Lemon said he was most grateful that it was another day that the Lord had given him in the county where he was born and raised with good parents who have gone on to be with the Lord.
“I am grateful to be able to stand here and talk,” he said. “I am very humble. I thank God that my health is good so far. I just ask him to keep his hand on me and keep me healthy. So I can keep protecting and serving the citizens of Marlboro County which I love to do and am doing.”