Community Thanksgiving Dinner

(Notice: This article was originally published with an incorrect link to the Community Thanksgiving Website. This has now been fixed)

Thursday, November 28th  from 12:00 to 5:00 pm at the Mullis Center

We are happy to announce, like Mark Twain, the reports of there not being a San Juan Island Community Thanksgiving Dinner have been greatly exaggerated. We are excitedly preparing for the 21^st annual Free Community dinner, the turkeys are ordered, and volunteers are beginning to sign up.

Each year, for 21 years, the San Juan Island community has gathered together for a day of Thanks and giving islanders an opportunity to come together as friends, spending the afternoon in community. The feast will be held again at the Mullis Center, where we serve dinner all afternoon, so come for great food anytime between noon and 5:00 pm.

Jim and Minnie Knych began the tradition in 1999 and built it into an event serving over 500 people utilizing the talents of over 120 volunteers. This year they have decided to retire and spend some time with their family in Tennessee. Thank You, Jim & Minnie, for this wonderful legacy.

Kevin & Diana Porter began volunteering with the Community Thanksgiving during the last two years it was held at the Grange. “The dinner was beginning to outgrow the facilities and our task was to keep much of the food warm at the Legion and carry it to the Grange when it was needed.”  The Mullis Center’s invitation to hold the festivities there was much welcomed.

Each year at the Mullis Center, the Porters, long-time Islanders with six children who have much experience feeding a crowd, have managed the kitchen and created efficient systems to keep the food coming. Jim & Minnie soon began to hint that they may want to retire, and Kevin and Diana should consider stepping up. “When the Knychs decided to retire, we talked to a few other key volunteers and choose to continue the Tradition.”

After a bit of a late start, we are well on our way; even so, none of this could be possible without the many volunteers who have made the event into what it is today. “We could not accomplish this task without the wonderful help from so many people.” If you would like to come and enjoy the delicious food, please join us. If you would also like to volunteer, we have a variety of opportunities. Bring a baked pie, roast a turkey or come for an hour and serve or help in the kitchen. We even have some dedicated volunteer spots for those who would like to stay and help all day.

Visit our website at to learn more and to volunteer. islandthanksgiving.weebly.com

Direct link to volunteer page. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050a4ea8a82ba6f85-thanksgiving

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