Berkeley Springs Lions Club hosts first community Thanksgiving dinner

by Lisa Schauer

For decades, the Hancock Lions Club has hosted an annual community Christmas dinner as a way of giving back.

For the first time, the Berkeley Springs Lions Club hosted a community Thanksgiving dinner, held at Berkeley Springs Moose Lodge 1483 on Saturday, November 23.

“We were looking for a way to help out and give back to the community. No one did this, and the Moose Lodge was gracious to approve our request,” said David Hansen with Berkeley Springs Lions Club, citing inspiration from Scott Creek with the Hancock Lions Club.

Berkeley Springs Lions Club members served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the community at the Moose lodge on Saturday, November 23. Volunteers pictured working the buffet line, from left, were Kyle Rankin, David Hansen, Gray Jones, Molly Perry, Redena Miller, Lorraine Canoles, Bob Osborne, Kim Mason, Tim Mason, Kathy Bohrer, Paula Osborne and Jonathan Mason.

Creek and a few fellow Lions Club members were in the kitchen, cooking up sides.

Lions Club members cooked for the community Thanksgiving dinner held at Berkeley Springs Moose lodge on Saturday, November 23. Pictured in the kitchen, from left, Scott Creek, Jake Miller, Craig Perry, Gray Jones.

National Honor Society members from Berkeley Springs High School helped out at the community Thanksgiving dinner held at the Moose lodge on Saturday, November 23. Pictured from left are: Layla Parsell, Grant Michael, Alaira Harrington, Lexi Parsell, Kyle Rankin, advisor Suzanne Burhoe, Brock Burhoe, Natalie Andrews and Elliot Jurick.

Other volunteers lined the buffet, serving roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy diners of all ages gathered at long tables set up in the dining hall, choosing from a selection of homemade desserts set up in back.

National Honor Society members from Berkeley Springs High School greeted guests, served beverages, bussed trays, and cleaned tables.

At about halfway through the three-hour dinner service, the parking lot was full, and around 130 people had already been served, according to volunteers.

“We wanted to help out with a community service project. It’s been very successful, and we have some great cooks,” said Berkeley Springs Lions Club president Kathy Bohrer.