LYNN — Lynn firefighters put out a different kind of fire on Wednesday afternoon when they served traditional Thanksgiving meals to more than 350 kids who attend the Gregg Neighborhood House,
For some of the kids, the luncheon at St. Michael’s Hall was their only opportunity to celebrate the holiday.
Students were served turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, according to Kelly O’Connor, executive director of Gregg Neighborhood House, an after-school child care center in Lynn.
“A lot of their families are working (on Thursday),” said O’Connor. “They (are) able to sit down and have a Thanksgiving meal family-style. As much as it is great for the kids, it’s also great for the volunteers. We look forward to this every year.”
Some of the volunteers included older kids who attend or have attended the Gregg House, such as 18-year-old Josh Perez, a St. Mary’s High School student.
“It’s pretty cool because (when I was a kid), the volunteers here were people I looked up to and now I can be that for them,” Perez said.
O’Connor and her parents, Kevin and Judy O’Connor, started the Thanksgiving luncheon 33 years ago. The goal was simple, which was to provide Gregg House kids with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
The first year, when Kelly was director of the Gregg House, four turkeys were served to 82 kids. The agency has since expanded to provide care for 352 kids.
The demand was so large that Kelly and her brother, Mike O’Connor, a veteran Lynn firefighter, eventually enlisted the help of Mike’s comrades, members of Lynn Firefighters Local 739, the fire department’s union.
The union got involved about 15 years ago and has since taken over the event, said Matthew Reddy, a former union president. Lynn firefighters now cook and prepare the meals, an endeavor that started at 7 a.m. Wednesday, he said.
Each year, the luncheon costs the fire department between $2,200 and $2,500, according to Mike O’Connor, who also served a stint as head of the union.
“I think it’s important that the kids experience a traditional Thanksgiving sit-down and have a hot meal and enjoy it,” Mike said. “I couldn’t do it without the Lynn firefighters union stepping in and helping me.”
Sophia Toure, 10, a fifth grade student at Aborn Elementary School, said she liked the meal because she got to share Thanksgiving with her friends. Some people might not get to celebrate the holiday, she said.
Lael Mabikas, 11, a sixth grade student at KIPP Academy Lynn, said the firefighters and Gregg House were helping the students by giving them a good Thanksgiving.
“I look forward to all of the fun with friends and the meals,” said Mabikas. “I think it’s based on kindness and being grateful for helping people and to enjoy what you have right now.”
