WEST JORDAN, Utah -- Volunteers in West Jordan worked together most of the day Monday to lend a humble, helping hand.
“We kind of just jumped in wherever needed help,” said volunteer Crystal Clegg. “It feels really good to be out here helping with all these families.”
Clegg, along with many others stuffed bags with all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving dinner.
"Everything from the turkey, down to the pumpkin pie with whipped cream," said Rob Adams, who started the Thanksgiving’s Heroes project.
Adams originally hoped to help 10 families in need get the turkey dinner they couldn’t otherwise have.
“We went to the school district and I asked for a list,” Adams said.
He asked officials at West Jordan School District to come up with names of families worthy of a free meal this holiday.
Adams’ request snowballed. Ten families turned into 800. A slew of donations poured in and an army of volunteers showed up to help.
Local companies also stepped in, with money, food and supplies for the dinners.
In all, Adams said, 4,500 people will eat the Thanksgiving meals the group handed out.
While about one-third of the recipients came to pick the meals up, the rest got delivered by car to excited moms, dads and children.
These families know this food brings more than a meal. It gives them love.
“I just think it’s wonderful that someone has that capacity, that open heart to do something like this,” said George Matavao, whose family got chosen to receive a meal.
And for the volunteers, it brought a sense of community.
Johnny Adams, who said he signed up to help on a whim said, for him, it was about being able to “see that happiness on their face [sic]… and then get hugs from strangers. But, it was a great experience that I’ll never forget.”
“This is going to be awesome,” Matavao said, laughing with joy. “Thank you, whoever did this for us. We really appreciate it.”
