Groups reach out to Freehold with first Thanksgiving meal

FREEHOLD - Hope for Life Community Development Corporation and the Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center joined forces on Nov. 21 to host its first Thanksgiving dinner.

The dinner, an effort to unite the Freehold Borough community and to provide support and comfort to those with little or no resources, family and financial restraints during the holiday season through the warmth of fellowship, was a true success. More than 30 volunteers assisted in serving 150-plus borough residents, elders, single parents and children.

YMCA Director Mel O'Neal said, "The evening was all about community fellowship. I am especially proud of the Y's youth group for stepping up to the challenge and to be willing to do anything necessary from sweeping floors, disposing of plates and serving food to make the event run smoothly."

Hope for Life President Anthony Ingram shared O'Neal's sentiments by commenting, "Our other main objective was to combine the resources of the many smaller churches within the borough to reach the lives of particularly the younger generation by promoting positive influence.

"The bigger question is what else would these young people be doing tonight if not here assisting with this event - hanging in the streets or perhaps nothing constructive? It is beautiful to witness such dedication, energy and commitment to a worthwhile and necessary cause," Ingram said.

According to a press release, the Hope for Life organization is a program designed to assist young adolescent men and male adults who are having problems transitioning into society by providing them with spiritual development, education, life skills, work development/ ethics, and therapy.

The Thanksgiving dinner was the group's premiere event, and anyone from the community in need of a warm meal and friendly smile was invited to attend the festive occasion.

Hope for Life founding member William Hair summarized the success of the organization's first Thanksgiving dinner by stating, "Making a change for the better and turning away from the negativity from the streets is what we're all striving to achieve here in Freehold Borough. From tonight's turnout it seems we're on our way."

Organizers thanked Holy Echoes and the Cobb brothers for providing the evening's inspirational music; Wendell Evert for preparing and coordinating the Thanksgiving feast; Ricky White for providing transportation to and from the event; Freehold High School; the Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center and Youth Group; Hope for Life Community Development Center; New Hope Baptist Church pastor and members; New Beginnings Agape Christian Center members; the Freehold Borough Police Department; Donnie Henderson; the activity committee at the Chelsea, Manalapan; and the numerous community volunteers.