Photo by Sam Yu The kitchen at the Harmon Field Community Center was buzzing with activity Thanksgiving Day as volunteers from the Frederick Korean Baptist Church and First Love Church served meals for any and all. Filling foam containers with food are, from the left, Eun Mi Lee of the Frederick Korean Baptist Church and Happy Day restaurant, Bernice Giles of First Love Church and Charlotte Scott of First Love Church.

By Erin Henk
News-Post Staff
FREDERICK -- For Dakoata Brown, punishment on Thanksgiving isn't all bad.

Helping serve a Thanksgiving dinner at Harmon Fields Community Center on Thursday was the penalty for getting bad grades, said the 12-year-old who lives in Duluth, Ga. Initially, he wasn't too excited. "I thought it was going to be sitting behind a counter slapping food in peoples' trays," he said. After spending several hours with the other volunteers his perception changed. "It's like a family here, it really is," said Dakoata, who is visiting his father for the holiday. "It's like a family restaurant type thing."

Dakoata was one of about 60 volunteers who helped out with cooking, serving and delivering meals. The dinner was a collaborative effort of the Frederick Korean Baptist Church, First Love Church and Happy Day restaurant.

Eun Mi Lee, owner of Happy Day and a member of the Korean Baptist Church, came up with the idea for the dinner. Together, she, Charlotte Scott of First Love and others started planning the meal about six months ago.

This is the first year the congregations have collaborated on a Thanksgiving meal. Both women said they hope it will become an annual event.

After four hours of cooking Wednesday night and a 6 a.m. worship service Thursday, volunteers handed out Styrofoam containers overflowing with generous portions of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, ham and macaroni and cheese.

While the meal was originally supposed to be served outside in the park shelter, it was moved inside due to bad weather. First Love holds its Sunday worship services in the community center, Ms. Scott said.

Both Ms. Lee and Ms. Scott said they were grateful for the donations from community businesses and individuals, which helped them prepare enough food to feed 250 people.

First Love member Anita Folk arrived at 9 a.m. to help out. "It's exciting. We've had lots of people come and go," she said. "They get to know you."

Volunteers also made trips throughout the day to deliver meals to those who couldn't get to the community center.

William Keeney sat down to eat lunch after making deliveries to the Olson House and a few hotels. This was his first year volunteering to help others on Thanksgiving Day. His children live around the county and Mr. Keeney said helping out with the church was like being with family.

"This is my family, too," said Mr. Keeney who is involved in First Love and plans to join the church.

Lisa Sewell also spent the morning delivering meals.

She made routine stops at the local shelters before another idea came to mind.

"'Let's go to the hotels,'" she told other volunteers.

They made trips to the Econo Lodge and the Travelodge to see if anyone else was in need of a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

When giving out free food everyone first thinks about going to the shelters, she

said. Seldom do people think about those who stay in hotels.

During a stop at Travelodge she saw Gerald Needs smoking a cigarette outside. After finding out he, his wife Jessica and five kids were staying at the hotel, she invited him them to eat.

"I feel welcome," said Mr. Needs who sat with his family.

Volunteering to help others on Thanksgiving is standard for Ms. Sewell. Spending time with her family is important, but helping others on the holiday is also something she enjoys.  "I love it. I love it," she said.  She especially likes delivering meals.

"When you see the looks on those peoples' faces, it's like 'Oh my God. We weren't forgotten,'" she said. "It's just awesome."