As the final bell rings to dismiss class on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, hundreds of Mahomet-Seymour students flood the doors to get in their cars to go home.
But members of the Mahomet-Seymour student council have stayed until after dinner hours on that Tuesday night for decades to serve a Thanksgiving dinner to more than 70 senior citizens.
“We typically service turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, and rolls,” Student Council sponsor Jamie Colbert said.
The dinner is by invitation only, as the student council lacks the funds and manpower to open it up to the entire community, but Colbert said students often invite their grandparents, neighbors, family friends, or members of their churches.
“If you come once, it’s likely your name will stay on our invitation list for future dinners,” Colbert said.
While Aramark provides the food, student council members are responsible for serving food to the senior citizens, for donating a pie to the event and for cleaning up after their guests have left.
Dinner guests are also entertained by a special performance by the Mahomet-Seymour Madrigals.
“(Assistant Student Council Advisor) Lauren Ochs and I truly love watching the students interact with the senior citizens,” Colbert said. “We always end the evening proud of them and their efforts. To see the friendly exchanges between the two generations is heartwarming and a perfect way to lead into the holiday season.”
Senior and student council member Sydney LaCour said, “I love being able to give the senior citizens a Thanksgiving dinner and a place to visit with their friends because not all of them are able to have a Thanksgiving with their own families.”
But making this event happen does not go without a great amount of planning.
This year’s lead was taken by Junior Audrey McNamara.
McNamara led a small committee that assigned volunteers to their tasks, set up the commons area and brought in donations for the raffle.
“Audrey has done an exceptional job leading her committee and following through on all the working components of this event,” Colbert said. “Her leadership qualities have been thoroughly noted and appreciated.”
