Students help with holiday meal

Students of the culinary arts department at the Connellsville Career and Technical Center had the opportunity to lend a hand to the needy of the community on Wednesday.

Roasting to perfection 16 turkeys, the students prepared the birds that will be served at the annual Thanksgiving dinner Friday by the Connellsville Salvation Army Service Unit at the Connellsville Community Center.

"I'm so thrilled to be given the opportunity to do this and to have the students get involved in the community this way," said culinary arts instructor Rick Rosensteel. "With all the commercialism this time of year that they are exposed to, they see everything as being all about me and by doing this, they see what it's like to help others."

The 45 students washed, cleaned and cooked the turkeys, then cooled them prior to pickup.

"The Connellsville Moose was so wonderful to once again donate the money for the turkeys," said Patty Handford, Connellsville Salvation Army director. "And they gave us more this year. The need is really up this year."

This is the fourth year the students helped with the dinner.

"There was an area restaurant that always used to do the turkeys for them and they were no longer able to do it,' Rosensteel said. "They called us and we said that we'd gladly do this."

The Salvation Army holiday Thanksgiving dinner is a tradition that offers those in need a home-cooked meal.

Serving more than 300 last year, Handford said the center is preparing for a larger crowd this year.

"We're anticipating close to 400 this year," Handford said. "We'll prepare enough food to feed that many if needed."

Handford and her crew of volunteers will begin preparation of the remainder of the holiday meal, making potatoes, cole slaw and green beans.

The meal will be served from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the Salvation Army Center.

"These kids like to get involved in the community," Rosensteel said. "They have volunteered in the past with serving for the meal and also they helped out with other community events."

And the community pride and spirit of giving is evident with those who are helping the needy of the area.

"I like that we actually get to help the unfortunate," said culinary arts student Barron Swope. "We always have people helping us and now it's our chance to help others."