PORT ANGELES — More than 800 people gathered Thursday at the gym at Queen of Angels Catholic Church for a community Thanksgiving dinner, warm clothes and a little extra something.
As the smells of the traditional feast wafted out from the front doors of the Queen of Angels, people were still arriving long after the 11:30 a.m. start of the annual feast.
“This is just about the biggest yet,” said Reath Ellefson, organizer of the dinner and giveaway.
Last year, about 700 people attended the annual dinner, but Thursday, there were nearly that many less than an hour after the doors opened, Ellefson said.
“I think we’re going to surpass that,” she said, and at 2:30 p.m. reported that 800 had been served with some still coming in and another hour to go.
Ellefson, 65, has been running the event, which includes far more than the traditional feast, for six years.
She said the dinner was for more than just those who need a little help during the holidays
or those who have no place else to go.
It’s for everyone, she said, a celebration of the spirit of community.
Santa Claus made an early appearance for the children — big and small — who attended the dinner.
“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade [in New York City] just ended, so he just got here,” said Leslie Locke, a volunteer.
Locke was supervising a gift giveaway near Santa’s “workshop” at the back of the gym, with a variety of toys and gifts for adults and children.
Each person who entered was given a ticket that could be redeemed for any item on the tables.
Some of the children shopped for their parents, or parents shopped for their children, and others found something special for themselves.
“I saw one girl who found a movie with popcorn. She grabbed it and hugged it and jumped up and down,” Locke said.
A young boy found a set of small golf clubs and took it with him everywhere he went.
“He was so proud,” Locke said.
A room full of warm clothes — such as coats, sweaters, knit hats, gloves and sleeping bags — were offered to those who were in need of a little extra for the winter.
Each family was allowed to fill one large bag from the supply of cold-weather items.
Some of the coats were donated, while others were new, with store tags still attached.
“The coats are really moving,” said a volunteer who only identified herself as Margaret.
The warm-clothing donations came from individuals and the Knights of Columbus organization. Some were purchased at sales by Ellefson using donated funds.
Other free community Thanksgiving dinners in Clallam County also were offered at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sunshine Cafe and Hardy’s Market in Sequim, and at the Forks Community center.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
