LYNN – Lynn Fire Local Union 739 firefighters volunteered at The Hibernian Hall on Wednesday to serve meals to over 300 children for the Gregg House Annual Thanksgiving Lunch.
Lynn Fire Local Union 739 paid for the food and the supplies, while the firefighters made the home-cooked meals. Meanwhile, Senator Brendan Crighton, State Rep. Reid, Thomas Demakes of Old Neighborhood Foods, Gregg House Board Members, and various community members joined this year to assist with the event.
Crighton said, “It’s been a long tradition here in the city, partnering with the Lynn firefighters and the Gregg House to bring these wonderful meals to so many kids. It’s where the community really steps up and gives back.”
Reid said, “It’s so important to give back during this time, and a great way to do this is for organizations like Gregg House to give back to the children that are here today.”
Demakes said, “The kids are getting out of school and coming here for a free meal. It’s a community effort.”
Gregg House Board Member Brenda Womack emphasized the importance of expressing gratitude during the holiday season.
“It lets kids know that we are thankful to be able to give back to them,” Womack said.
Mayor Jared Nicholson also made an appearance to give thanks to everyone who made the event possible.
“Thanksgiving is great holiday to bring everyone together and to reflect. To do that as a community with our young people is really special. We’re grateful for the Gregg House and the work they do with (the 739 union) and their support, and all the volunteers and donors who make events like this happen,” Nicholson said.
Gregg House staff members Diareni Batista and Keury Mena spoke about the impact of providing warm meals to hundreds of kids the day before Thanksgiving.
Batista said, “Today means a lot. Some kids are separated from their families, so getting them together with their friends and staff to give the love back to them is very important,”
Mena said, “We don’t always know what they go through at home. Some of them don’t have food at their tables, so this is really good for them.”
Gregg House CEO Kelly O’Connor expressed similar sentiment.
“The event is important this year because of the climate in the world that we’re living in right now. The kids really need to see everybody coming together,” O’Connor said.
Gregg House alumnus and ambassador Amari Gaston commented on the full-circle nature of attending the Thanksgiving lunch on Wednesday.
“Gregg House gave me a safe space to just be a kid and be involved in the community. Because of the staff, I am able to give back to the kids today,” Gaston said.
Lynn Fire Local Union 739 firefighter and Gregg House alumnus Jared Thomas explained why he chose to volunteer at the event.
“I remembered the volunteers that were helping out when I was here, so now I’m in the position to do the same. It’s my duty to be here and give back,” Thomas said.
