A Thanksgiving tradition for residents in Habersham County’s city of Clarkesville is gearing up for another busy and blessed celebration on Thursday, November 28, but can always use some added donations and volunteers.
Organizers with the sixth annual Clarkesville Community Thanksgiving (CCT) are preparing for their serving at the Clarkesville First Presbyterian Church between 11:00a.m. and 1:00 p.m. One of the event’s organizers, Eric Holbrooks, has told AccessWDUN that they are in great shape for much of their needed items, but they can always use more dessert dishes, side dishes and, of course, turkeys.
The event started several years ago when Holbrooks and several friends gathered at a former Clarkesville restaurant and talked about what more could be done to unite local residents and those in need of a home-cooked meal during the holidays. Thus, the CCT was born.
After the first few events were held at the now-closed Stoney’s Restaurant off State Route 17, Holbrooks and the volunteers sought a new location to continue the dinner services. The event was brought to the attention of Clarkesville First Presbyterian Church’s member Darren Johnson and Pastor Matthew Henderson, who opened the doors to their industrial-equipped kitchen and dining area for the opportunity to assist.
Holbrooks says they plan to serve at least 300 plates, free of charge, to anyone who comes to the CCT dinner, thanks to several volunteers, as well as local businesses like Pinnacle Bank of Clarkesville, USA Shop of Clarkesville and the Clarkesville Dairy Queen location, where they are making their businesses available as drop-off locations for donations. While they hope to have all plates served during the day, Holbrooks adds that leftover items will not go to waste, as they will be donated to the local soup kitchens and nursing home in the county, following Thanksgiving Day.
Volunteers are welcomed to show up and assist the CCT serving, as Holbrooks says they will begin to gather at Clarkesville First Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street near downtown Clarkesville, at around 8:00 Thanksgiving morning.
If you have further questions about the Clarkesville Community Thanksgiving, from how to make donations to how you can volunteer, just reach Eric Holbrooks at (706)968-6993, or find Eric’s personal Facebook page for information. There is also a social media page for the CCT, which you can view by clicking here.
