Thankful families take in annual dinner

November 26, 2014 9:22 PM

Site staff,

Posted: November 26, 2014 9:22 PM

Updated: December 27, 2019 7:56 PM

by Site staff

MADISON, Wis. — The Dane County Boys and Girls Club held its annual Thanksgiving dinner Monday, with Ferguson on the minds of many.

More than 700 people received a free meal at the club’s Fitchburg location and 200 more took take-home turkey baskets, thanks to help from the Madison Mallards and Allied-Dunn-Marsh Neighborhood Association. Several people attending the dinner said this year they’re more thankful than previous holidays as they think about residents in Ferguson.

“It’s a tragedy, what’s going on down there,” said Jackie Ingram. “It makes you think about life and take things more seriously.”

“That could be anybody,” Angela Jackson said. “It could be you, it could be me. I’m just so blessed it’s not my children, it’s not me, and I’m just blessed to be here today.”

“Thanksgiving’s a great time to sit with your family and have a great meal, and even if it’s for this hour or two, maybe just block out everything that’s going on and give thanks to what we have,” said A.J. Kriha, program director for the club.

Meanwhile, a city still smoldered 400 miles away Tuesday night, reminding Madison families they have so much to be thankful for.

“You never know what could happen,” Ingram said. “Tomorrow’s not promised. It makes you think about your family and friends, and [reminds you that] sometimes you have to pick up the phone and call people you haven’t talked to in a while, just to let them know you love them.”