Karin Chandler/Winonan
Recreation Tourism and Therapeutic Recreation, or RTTR, students from Winona State University provided a Thanksgiving dinner for the Winona community earlier this month.
As part of the Recreational Programming class, students had the option to put something together.
Two students created a program that provided community members with a free Thanksgiving dinner. The rest of the RTTR students volunteered to help.
In order to attend the dinner, people had to call and make reservations.
Shawn Farber, was one of the students in charge of the event.
“I’m excited to see peoples’ expressions and to see this thing blow up,” he said. “I want it to explode with success. To see the outcome of our work and the team work that put everything together.”
Connor Halloran was the other student in charge.
“Our goal is to bring people in the Winona community together for a delicious and fun-filled environment,” he said.
The students ran the program without a budget, Farber said.
To make this dinner possible, the class received help from sponsors in the Winona community. Volunteers, Chartwells, the WSU Print Shop, the Winona Post, the Winona Food Shelf, the Women’s Resource Center, and the VFW all made donations to make the event happen.
Those that attended enjoyed the food and the service.
Bob Schrandt said, “It’s very nice to treat us older people. The food is wonderful.”
Gert Schrandt said, “These are nice potatoes. They’re real. They got lumps in them; just the way I like them. Everything is really good.”
Other students, such as Cassie Cook, enjoyed themselves, as well.
“It was an exciting learning experience, and I enjoyed seeing the smiling faces,” Cook said.
Elaine Flak, an attendee, said, “It’s very good. It’s all good. A friend told me about the dinner.”
After attendants checked in, they were given a sheet of paper that asked what they were thankful for. Most said they were thankful for the dinner provided.
“I’m thankful for this delicious supper,” said Carol Brommerich, an attendee. “Anything I don’t have to cook is good. I’m also thankful that my hurtful knee is getting better.”
Janie Fort, another attendee, said, “I’m thankful for my health, my family and their health, the wonderful weather, and for the Good Lord giving us all the bountiful food and fortune, my nice home, and we thank you for the delicious dinner.”
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