This past week, the weather turned colder for a few days, reminding us that the winter season isn’t too far away. That too means that Thanksgiving isn’t very far away, and although it might seem a wee bit early to be thinking about it, there’s a very good reason to this year.
In addition to it being a good reminder that it’s a time to GIVE THANKS (even though 2020 isn’t quite the year we expected, we still have MANY things to be grateful for…like more time with our family be it in person or via Zoom sessions or even waving through the window, more time to get at-home “To Do” lists, done, etc.), but it’s also a good time to think about helping others. That was always what Roberta (Bert) Aukland seemed to enjoy most about the change of seasons.
Ten years ago this Thanksgiving, Aukland founded the Eagle Grove Community Thanksgiving Feast. She invited anyone and everyone who would have otherwise spent the holiday alone, or perhaps couldn’t afford to cook a traditional meal, or maybe just wanted to get out and visit with other people – to come to the Memorial Hall and enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast with turkey and all the fixings – all at no cost.
That first year, Aukland had no idea what to expect. She was grateful for the help of her friend, Deb Knudtson, along with many great family and friends, who stepped forward to help her make the dream to make a difference come true. In addition to using her own money to purchase the supplies, others chipped in cash, side salads, or just their time to help. Together, they made it happen, and the people came in great numbers to enjoy the meal. Many asked if they could at least make a free-will offering for the meal. Aukland took all that money and invested it in the second year’s event, and so on and so forth. Many local businesses also got on board, contributing cash or even turkeys.
Over the course of the last decade, it has become a highly anticipated event that many people look forward to, averaging about 200 people per year. Some, who have their own family gatherings on that day, just come to enjoy dessert so they can see neighbors and friends they might not otherwise get to see. So many people come for so many different reasons…and they all leave with the same feeling of gratefulness, including Aukland.
But last year was tough for her. A diagnosis of breast cancer, lymphedema, and heart surgery for her husband, Olan, made the Thanksgiving Feast a little more challenging. Although she knew the 2019 Feast would be her last year, she also knew she didn’t want to just let it end…and that she and Knudtson wanted to do something extras special with the money they had left over in the Feast account since it was there because of the generous contributions of many.
Aukland and Knudtson decided to use $500 to adopt a family this past Christmas who was in need of a little help to make the holiday merry and bright. They also made a $500 donation to the Eagle Grove Food Pantry – a great way to help so many who are in need of food not only during the holidays, but all days. That left them with a little bit left over, which they are hoping will be a good start for the 2020 Community Thanksgiving Feast that will now (hopefully) be put on (under COVID regulations) by the Eagle Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Board. Aukland and Knudtson are hopeful that the people and community will continue to support and attend the event like they have the last 9 years under their leadership as the tradition of thankfulness continues in our small town. Whether it’s this year, or we have to wait until next year because of COVID, the tradition will still go on with the continued help of many volunteers (please call the Chamber at 448-4821 if you would like to help) and attendees.
“Bert and I want to thank everyone who helped, delivered, donated food or money over the years,” said Knudtson. “But especially, the people who came and enjoyed it with us. It was Bert’s dream come true.”
