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Union Station Foundation and Celebrities To Feed Turkey Dinners
Added: (Thu Nov 24 2005)
Award-winning Actor Hector Elizondo will Host the event in Central Park Pasadena.
Pasadena, CA — Up to 2,000 volunteers will team up in Central Park on Nov. 24th, Thanksgiving Day. They will serve a hearty meal and holiday cheer to all who attend, many of whom are homeless, senior citizens, alone at the holidays and families on limited incomes.
“Faithful supporters bring donated turkeys, hams, side dishes and desserts to the park,” said Rabbi Marvin Gross, executive director, Union Station Foundation. “Last Thanksgiving, more than 5,000 meals were served, including 150 turkeys and 5,000 pounds of potatoes. The event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the 2,000 volunteers who spent part of their Thanksgiving with us.”
For more than 30 years, Union Station has sponsored the annual Thanksgiving Dinner-in-the-Park, often referred to as the “Biggest Potluck in the Nation.” “We usually have over 1,000 volunteers in the park between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Volunteers are needed at all times, but are desperately needed between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM for clean-up,” said Gross.
Union Station assists poor and homeless families and individuals to rebuild their lives. “From Homeless to Homeowner in less than four years, with the help of Union Station, I’ve come full circle,” said Victor, a former Union Station client.
“After being arrested for the third time, I knew I had two choices, either quit using drugs or die. Luckily Union Station had a bed open for me” said Pablo, USF Alumnus.
When Lorena finally came to Union Station, she felt it was her last chance at sobriety, at motherhood, at staying alive. Although a veteran of countless other shelters, Union Station proved to be a new experience. “My case manager didn’t just tell me what to do; he insisted that I participate in my own recovery. I’ll never forget that Union Station saved my life even when I thought I didn’t deserve it,” shared, Lorena.
We have so much to thank Union Station for. We have learned money management, parenting skills, nutrition, and many other skills that will help us maintain a good home for our children. Thank you Union Station Foundation Family Center.” Anonymous.
Hollywood celebrities have been invited to participate this year. Hector Elizondo will welcome the guests at noon and announce that dinner will be served.
Donate Prepared Food or Volunteer
Fully Cooked Turkeys and Hams - Volunteers are needed to help gather enough turkeys for Thanksgiving. Please call 626.240.4550 (x105) if you can help in one of the following ways:
•Donate one or more cooked turkeys. Prepared turkeys can be dropped off at Central Park on Thanksgiving Day between 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
•Donate one or more uncooked turkeys. Uncooked turkeys can be dropped off at Union Station’s Adult Center (412 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena) on Friday, November 18 between the hours of 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, or on Saturday, November 19 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
•Volunteer to cook one or more turkeys that have been donated. Volunteer cooks can pick up turkeys at our Adult Center (412 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena) on Saturday, November 19 between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM or on Monday, November 21 between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Side Dishes, safely prepared in aluminum, disposable containers, including: casseroles, spaghetti, lasagna, mashed potatoes without gravy and vegetables. Please note, no jello!
Desserts: All varieties are welcome.
Food can be dropped off at Central Park on the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard, from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM on Thanksgiving morning.
Volunteers are also needed on November 23 and November 25. If you are available to volunteer on either of these days, please call 626.240.4550 (x105) for information.
For advanced interview, images and more about the event please contact George McQuade, 818-340-5300 or 818-618-9229, or visit USF website: www.unionstationfoundation.org; or www.MayoCommunications.com or www.MayoPR.com.
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