Thanksgiving program in the works
A community Thanksgiving program is in the works for Adair County.
Jimmy and Sally Kemp, of Columbia, had decided to spend last Thanksgiving alone and went to Lure Lodge in Jamestown for a meal. Sally noticed the amount of people that were at the lodge on a holiday and the idea for the program began there.
“I just kept watching people go in and out,” Sally said.
Sally and her husband contacted the organizers of a similar program in Russell County for some ideas. The program has been going on for more than 12 years. Last year they fed between 500 and 700 people.
The Kemps couldn’t think of an existing program in Adair County so they decided to start one.
“I am from Columbia and I have never heard of that here,” Sally said.
“I asked him (Jimmy) if they had a program for those who don’t have a family to go to,” Sally said. “We were just sitting there and it hit me. There are a lot of people that don’t have a family.”
Jimmy contacted Charles Grimsley, of Columbia, about having a similar program in Adair County.
“It would be a good thing to have in Columbia,” Grimsley said.
An organizational meeting will take place next week.
The organizational meeting will help brainstorm what kind of program is possible, where it will take place and how it will be funded.
Those interested in participating can attend the meeting on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. at the chamber of commerce building on Burkesville Street.
For more information, contact Jimmy or Sally Kemp at 384-4856, Francine Neat at 384-2421 or Charles Grimsley at 384-5658.
By Allison Hollon
allison@accvonline.com
