What We Are Thankful For
Having Thanksgiving dinner with family isn’t always possible for emergency personnel.
Some area businesses got together to bring dinner to them. Grate Expectations Catering & Cafe, Comfort Inn Oskaloosa, Hy-Vee, Mahaska Health Partnership, Wyndell Campbell State Farm Agency and Oskaloosa News all helped to provide a turkey dinner this afternoon.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Thanksgiving is a time for getting together with those we care about most.
For some folks, the job doesn’t end just because it’s a holiday. Emergency dispatchers were at their post, answering calls from those that were having some of the worst moments of their lives.
Firefighters stood by, in the event your cooking got away from you, and the police were there to help keep motorist on the road, and lines of Black Friday shoppers civil.
Some area businesses got together to help provide a meal for those who serve us, while we enjoyed catching up with those who matter most to us.
Those businesses were: Grate Expectations Catering & Cafe, Comfort Inn Oskaloosa, Hy-Vee, Mahaska Health Partnership, Wyndell Campbell State Farm Agency and Oskaloosa News.
Mahaska County Emergency Manager Jamey Robinson spoke about those businesses who stepped forward, “So thankful for those that stepped up and served food to our responders so they could continue to serve Mahaska County this holiday.”
Area readers shared some of their thoughts about the holiday, and what they are most thankful for:
Barb Saville – “Family, friends, health, a place to lay my head and keep me warm.”
Louise Shipman Phillips – “My family, friends, home and community. My wish is for World Peace and also thankful for the sacrifices and loyalty of our Military.”
Bonnie Buckley – “My family, my sweet Lisa that is still with us! And just getting up and being able to walk better today with less pain.”
Emily Marie Brown shared a link to a piece she wrote, where it describes Oskaloosa as united – “They are UNITED.”
“In the four years I have lived here, this community and the people who live here have amazed me. They have this amazing ability to pull together – to unite, during tough times to support their neighbors. In 2014, people from all walks of life came together to support three young men from Oskaloosa, whose lives were turned upside down when three separate accidents left them paralyzed. The year before, another young man felt the same support from the community when a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Earlier this year, I watched as the community mourned the loss of a beloved hometown hero. His memorial service filled the seats of the Oskaloosa Community Stadium with friends, family, and strangers alike – united to honor this young man, support his family, and celebrate his life.
This past weekend, I stood in a crowded building, the morning after the first snowstorm of the year. Standing shoulder to shoulder with so many friends, family, and strangers, I watched as the great burden that cancer brings, was lifted off the shoulders of a young family, and replaced with the love of the community.
The people here have a way of turning tragedy into opportunity: opportunity to show what kind of community they belong to – one full of people who come together to love and support their neighbors – friend or stranger. Each time they come together, they always do BIG things and change lives. I have no doubt that this community will continue to amaze me, and I look forward to seeing everything that the people of Oskaloosa will do together, UNITED.”
