Scores of families get Thanksgiving dinner

Local News

Related Photos

Discussion

November 22, 2009

Anonymous The Meridian Star Sun Nov 22, 2009, 12:22 AM CST

By Brian Livingston

blivingston@themeridianstar.com

When Capt. Randall Davis stepped into a home in Marion recently to check on a petty larceny complaint, the scene that rose up in front of his eyes made his heart ache.

Fourteen children quickly gathered around him in the small home and a grandmother was busy trying to find enough food for all of them to eat. For several moments as Davis stood there, small hands clamored for his attention, he took in the sights, sounds and smell. Davis admitted he forgot the reason why he had come to the home in the first place.

"It wasn't the first time I'd been in a place where the people were in dire need of help," said Davis Saturday afternoon. "But I guess it was the home that really made me realize just how many people there are out there in our own communities who could use a break away from their desperate situations. It just really touched me."

Davis, along with other officers of the Marion Police department and Barbara Anthony, who is an alderman with the town, gathered up 90 turkeys and hams donated by citizens, businesses and organizations of both Marion and Meridian. Saturday was the day they picked to go to homes and families on a list compiled in the last few weeks.

"So many times the public sees us doing our job arresting people and enforcing the law but I want them to see us in a different light," Davis said. "We are here to protect and serve and today we are serving turkey and ham."

Allie Rainer was one of the recipients of a turkey and with a big hug for Anthony and Davis she gladly accepted the bird.

"This is the best surprise I've had in a long time," said Rainer. "I wasn't counting on having a turkey for the holidays but now my entire family can enjoy a proper Thanksgiving dinner. This is just great."

Next door to Rainer's home, Eugene Lloyd was presented with a ham that brought a huge, golden smile from the man. Lloyd didn't think he would be having ham for Thanksgiving but the donation would change everything.

"I appreciate this so much," he said. "This is really something I didn't expect."

As for Davis, you would have thought he just scored a touchdown in the championship game. This is what he has been planning for so long and to see the expressions on the people was worth all the hard work in getting the donations together.

"This is what I'm talking about," he said as he pumped his arms. "This is what it means to be a public servant and to answer the call. It just doesn't get any better!"

Two down, eighty-eight more homes to call on. Eighty-eight families who will be surprised and have a Thanksgiving dinner.

Text Only

Local News

Voters face Saturday deadline
February 10, 2012
Site of sub commissioning changed
February 10, 2012
Dulaneys to reign over 2012 Meridian Mardi Gras Weekend
February 10, 2012
Local law enforcement officials honored
State Rep. Greg Snowden said he remembered as a child looking up to those "men in blue."
He said police officers in uniform were larger than life, riding in their patrol cars and carrying guns to protect and serve the population. Today, he said he is still in great admiration of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that citizens can feel safe.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
MPD probes vehicle crash
Evidence of a mother's desperate attempt to save her children from harm were spread all over a car lot — and could be seen on her as well in the form of bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Tuesday night, a vehicle with three children inside crashed through a plate glass showroom floor window damaging four new cars and totaling the vehicle the children were in.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Skeleton found in residence
Members of the forensics team of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) were called to a dilapidated home in Chunky to probe the discovery of a skeleton.

February 9, 2012
Police search for robbery suspects
Two men who reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in the parking lot of a local bank are still being sought.
Mike Vick, public information officer with the Meridian Police Department, said the two men approached a woman about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the ATM of Regions Bank on North Hills Street. Vick said one of the suspects was armed with a handgun and after taking an undetermined amount of cash and the victim's car keys, the two suspects fled on foot.

February 9, 2012
City cuts payment to Watkins
The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.
The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday.

February 8, 2012
Crews work on gasoline pipeline
If you hear a loud, booming sound early today, between 4 a.m.-10 a.m., there is no cause for alarm.
Workers with Plantation Pipeline will be performing maintenance work on their 30-foot gasoline pipeline in the Meridian area to accommodate the widening of Highway 493. The location of the work activity will be at Highway 493 North and Oak Hill Baptist Church, just inside the city limits.

February 8, 2012
Team Spirit
February 8, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Scores of families get Thanksgiving dinner

Site Map

Contact Us