The spirit of gratitude filled the Kingsland Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 22, as Sharing the Harvest hosted its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, an evening defined by generosity, unity,
and neighbor-to-neighbor compassion.
From 4-6 p.m., volunteers welcomed guests of all ages and backgrounds for a full Thanksgiving meal served with kindness and dignity.
To create a warm, restaurant-style experience, volunteers greeted arriving guests, asked how many were in each party, and escorted them to their tables.
Lisa Lyons explained, “We wanted our neighbors to feel truly welcome, enjoying a nice dinner out. We seated them, brought everything to their table, and let them simply relax and enjoy the meal together.”
Nearly 100 volunteers stepped forward this year from Girl Scouts, local leaders, county commissioners, church members, students, and longtime supporters.
Some served plates of turkey and trimmings, others filled to-go orders, delivered meals to neighbors unable to attend, or guided guests from the parking lot.
Volunteer Gabriel Quiroz even circled the lot in a golf cart, offering rides to anyone who needed a little extra help.
Inside the center, the atmosphere overflowed with kindness.
Volunteers visited with diners, offered conversation, and made sure every table felt cared for.
A particularly touching moment came when guest Vivian French mentioned her upcoming 84th birthday prompting volunteers to gather around her table and lead the entire room in a warm, heartfelt chorus of “Happy Birthday.”
Cynthia Green reflected on what the dinner truly meant to her and to the community: “Each morning my prayer is to make a positive impact in one life. Together as a community of businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals, we put aside whatever differences we have and united together as neighbors serving neighbors. We served Llano and Burnet counties, from folks in million-dollar homes to others without running water. While many view it as us being a blessing to them … my takeaway is I personally had 554 blessings yesterday because I could be a part of this.”
The evening closed with a simple truth on full display – when a community shows up for one another, gratitude multiplies.
