A Day of Thanksgiving

Friends of Heber Valley gathered together for a special night of breaking bread– and pumpkin pie– at the Wasatch Community Foundation’s annual A Day of Thanksgiving feast at Timpanogos Middle School.

Highlights (besides Michele Davis’ turkey costume) included new bikes that were given away to 20 very lucky and excited kids. The bikes were generously donated by Varex Imaging and helmets were provided by Intermountain Heber Valley Hospital. 

Eight-year-old Emma was one of the lucky bike recipients. Her mom was emotional talking about what a gift this was. “Her bike has been broken and she hasn’t been able to ride it.” Emma said she has never won anything this awesome before and exclaimed, “I told my mom we couldn’t leave right away because I entered my ticket and just got a lucky feeling I was going to win, and I did!”  

In conjunction with the dinner, the Heber Valley Rotary and the Wasatch High Interact Club teamed up for a Winter Coat Drive and were able to distribute hundreds of used coats, gloves, hats and winter boots to grateful recipients.

The Day of Thanksgiving dinner has been a tradition in the Heber Valley for 7 years and falls under the Wasatch Community Foundation’s Health pillar. Dinner was free and the event was made possible by generous donations from community members. The school district also generously provided use of the facility at Timpanogos Middle School and willing staff who prepared and served the meal. Entertainment was provided by musicians Corbin Gordon and George Hansen.

Jonelle Fitzgerald, Wasatch Community Foundation’s Health Pillar Chair and the Health Director at Wasatch County Health Department said “We’re grateful for the community’s support. We had hundreds of volunteer hours and many financial and in-kind contributions to make this event possible for our community. Our most vulnerable community members were given the opportunity to feel warmth with great food, entertainment, donated clothing, and a sense of community and well-being.”

Thoughtful fall decor was placed on each of the tables along with cardstock tablecloths, where diners could share their gratitude on paper. Six-year-old Ivan was grateful for cats and little brothers (even though he scribbled all over Ivan’s masterpiece).

Another family was grateful for their beautiful 4-month-old baby Marcus and shared they were grateful for “God’s salvation” and “my family.” 

Organizers estimate 400 people of all ages attended the Day of Thanksgiving and left this memorable community event bundled up in warm coats, grateful smiles and happy hearts.