And ‘thank you’ right back

Suzie Harrison

Instead of just indulging in turkey, some Laguna residents prefer to

celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that fosters community and helps

others.

For almost two decades Crosscultural Council chairman David Peck

has spent Thanksgiving at Bluebird Park, helping with the annual

potluck dinner.

The tradition began at St. Mary’s Church 18 years ago. Father Bob

Cornelison and Father Colin Henderson started it to feed the homeless

on Thanksgiving, according to volunteer Ellin Henderson.

“Out of St. Mary’s [program], grew the idea of doing a community

Thanksgiving,” Henderson said. “We’ve been doing it in Bluebird Park

since ’87.”

Henderson said the Bluebird Thanksgiving is a place people know

they are welcome.

“I think it’s absolutely an example of Thanksgiving in a sense, we

have people from every walk of life and all hanging out together,”

Henderson said. “I don’t know of any other place that has something

like this. It’s one of the special things that happens in this town.”

After the infamous fire in ‘93, the holiday in the park grew.

“That Thanksgiving, a lot of people showed up displaced by the

fire,” Peck said. “Every year now it’s a community potluck.”

People from the Friendship Shelter, the homeless and community

people come who want to share the day, Peck said.

“Families come who want to help us ... it’s a mixed bag and a

community tradition,” Peck said. “More than half of the people are

just Laguna residents who want to share the day.”

Usually about 350 to 400 people attend.

“We have all the traditional dishes and always have a vegetarian

table ... this is Laguna,” Peck said. “We don’t serve, it’s a potluck

so everyone serves themselves.”

Volunteers end up bagging about 100 to 200 meals to go, for people

who need food later. The rest feeds the Friendship Shelter.

To volunteer and help set up, arrive at 11 a.m. Dinner will be at

noon Nov. 25. Bluebird Park is at the corner of Cress Street and

Bluebird Canyon Drive. To bring a turkey, call (949) 497-2239 or for

information, call (949) 497-3936. There is no charge.

GETTING RUFF

Another option to spend the holiday in Laguna is the Rescuing

Unwanted Furry Friends Thanksgiving Dinner fundraiser at Tivoli

Terrace.

“There were several of us who founded RUFF, but I’m the only one

still involved,” Alex Wentzel said. “We were all volunteers at Laguna

Beach Animal Shelter and decided to do something to help injured and

sick animals.”

Wentzel said the nonprofit was incorporated in 1989 and had its first fundraiser at Tivoli Terrace the following Thanksgiving.

“We were approached by June and [the late] Terry Neptune,” Wentzel

said. “They said they wanted to help us. It was June’s recommendation

to have a Thanksgiving fundraiser and we jumped on it. It was a

wonderful thing for them to do.”

It’s been an annual event ever since.

“Our two fundraisers are very important to our success,” Wentzel

said. “Last year we helped over 1,000 animals.”

The rescue effort started out of Laguna Beach and has grown to

service all of Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino.

“We save money by operating out of our own homes and pick up the

telephone expenses,” Wentzel said. “We make judgments about how much

needs to be contributed and we contact the vet office.”

The fundraiser Thanksgiving dinner will be from noon to 4 p.m.

Nov. 25 at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Both traditional and vegetarian

meals are served. The cost is $22 for adults and $11 for children

12-years-old and younger. For more information, call (949) 494-9650.

Pets are welcome.