A time for giving: City Outreach serves Thanksgiving meal

As hundreds of families filed into the City Outreach Ministry's building on Burt Street Saturday morning for a community Thanksgiving dinner, dozens of others were helping them get seated, bringing them food and refreshing their cups with tea and water. There were law enforcement officers, judges, business owners, and pastors and members of other congregations.

"They just show up and it's just amazing," said Keith Heflin, who owns Worlds of Games with his wife, Sheri. They've been helping out for several years now, ever since merging their own angel tree Christmas activities with City Outreach's attempt to help those in need.

"This is my Christmas," said Heflin, looking out over the people. "My wife once said I was the hardest person to shop for and I told her all I wanted was 30 turkeys."

Their sons, Josh and Matt, were also helping out.

"I'm proud of both of my boys -- they come here on their own," said Heflin.

It was warm in the building, and loud, and at any given time there was a baby crying or a toddler laughing and Horn, on his microphone, giving directions. Why do so many come to the dinner and volunteer their time in the chaos? Especially those, such as Judge Lee Russell, who have already been volunteering elsewhere?

Russell, who had only an hour before been serving up country ham breakfasts at the Senior Citizens' Center fundraiser, said it comes down to his favorite passage in the Bible, Matthew 25:40.

"Even as you have done unto the least of these, you have done unto me," said the judge. "I think this is just a blessing to the community and it would be wonderful if everyone could be mobilized to help. I admire what he (Horn) does."

Circuit Court Clerk Thomas Smith was also on hand, handing out turkeys and passing down plates of food.

"I've been involved for several years, thanks to Keith," he said. "I just try to give back to the people who have given so much to me."

Heflin said the desire to help seems to spread.

"It grows on people," he said.

He pointed out one family, native Canadians who winter here in Tennessee.

Heflin had met Steve Johnson when the men discovered a common interest in gold mining and then later, they discovered their children shared classes.

"They don't even live here," he said of Anna and Steve Johnson and their daughter, Nikki. "They don't go to this church -- but they want to help out.

"It's like my wife says -- It's a small world ... full of big hearts."

As the families lined up to get their tickets for the meal, they also signed up for the ministry's Christmas giveaway, set for Dec. 19. The Thanksgiving meal was the last day for sign-ups, and Horn reminded the families that if they have signed up with other help agencies, they would not be eligible for the City Outreach event.