Over 500 Thanksgiving dinners were delivered door to door by a small group called “Friends of St. John” on Thanksgiving morning. The group was started by John Swafford 10 years ago and was joined by local Latter and Blum realtor Ched Edler, seven years ago. Many local businesses donated to the event along with an ever growing number of volunteers this year. The two largest sponsors were Valero and CEO of Latter & Blum Robert Merrick. Others were New Wine Christian Fellowship, Ed Rowley of House Call Inspection, Rising Star Baptist Church, Essential Mortgage, Latter & Blum Manager Frank Trapani, Ross Louque Exterminating, Don Cox & Sharon Krutzfeldt agents with Latter & Blum and Theresa Dunn & Nathan Stein with Preferred Company. 

Volunteers started preparing plates at 7 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Thanksgiving morning and spent the rest of the afternoon delivering dinners, which included turkey, vegetables, fruit and bread. While most families were preparing their Thanksgiving dinner in the early hours on Thanksgiving morning, Friends of St. John were preparing meals for needy individuals in the community most of whom they’ve never met. Swafford and Edler convoyed throughout the community delivering the plates and both agreed they would have it no other way.  “I feel this is a way to give back to the community and I feel more blessed to give than to receive,” said Swafford.

The list of individuals who received dinners on Thanksgiving morning ranged from elderly, homeless, sick, handicapped and simply those less fortunate during this time of year. 

“The holidays often put big demands on us all and our weekly budget cannot always meet those demands,” said volunteer Nina Santa Marina, President of the Cheffen Wilson Milton Foundation.

Longtime buddies Swafford and Edler know that all too

well which is why

they decided to organize Friends of St. John.  They never question the reasons for the need. “I simply saw a need and wanted to do something about it. I love to cook and that made it all very easy for me,”

said Swafford. “This is our community, our home.  It is our responsibility to do something, to help them,” said Elder.

For more information on Friends of St. John or to participate in this annual event, contact John Swafford Jr. at 985-653-0290.