For venerated organizations like Camillus, Thanksgiving is just another day to do good | Editorial
Of course, the turkey giveaways and the free meals that generous local groups organize are great photo-ops. But they are much more. They give local residents at least one day over which to come together in service to this community.
Chief among them is Camillus House, which year after year serves more than 100 turkeys to hundreds of disadvantaged and homeless on Thanksgiving Day, and scores of community residents arrive to the venerable institution and volunteer to serve meals.
Camillus House has been doing this good work for 59 years. Last year, more than 600 people were able to eat on Thanksgiving. Given the level of income inequality in this community, unfortunately, even more people might arrive at Camillus’ door Thursday. And they all will be warmly welcomed.
CAMACOL, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, is making sure the less fortunate in Miami’s Latin community eat well during the holidays. It has organized a massive holiday food basket giveaway in Little Havana for the past 34 years.
The event is so popular, people begin reserving their spot in line several days ahead. Last year, the “golden tickets” or vouchers were handed out and guaranteed that 3,000 people would return two weeks later to get a holiday basket with enough food for 10. Vouchers will be distributed on Dec. 4; the food baskets will be handed out on Dec. 18.
Sedano’s and Publix supermarkets also deserve recognition, for they are helping to fill up CAMACOL’s food baskets.
This year, Sedano’s will also give away 4,000 turkeys for Thanksgiving to organizations such as United Way of Miami-Dade, the cities of Miami and Hialeah. It also donated complete meals for Thanksgiving to Camillus House and Lotus House.
In downtown Miami, as it does every year, the Overtown NET Office handed out turkeys to pre-registered neighborhood residents with the help of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon. Their giveaways are well-known and appreciated.
The Miami Dolphins players were out there, too, giving turkeys to low-income students at Mater Academy Elementary in Hialeah Gardens along with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz.
The community should note that though Thanksgiving gets the photo ops, these and so many other organizations feed, clothe, teach and provide solace to some of our most vulnerable residents. They do it with respect and with dignity.
Most important, they do it 365 days a year.
Of course, the residents of Greater Miami have their own impressive track record of giving. Their record-breaking $14 million in donations to hundreds of organizations on Give Miami Day last week is proof positive. And with the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald’s longtime holiday charity, Wish Book, under way, we urge generous residents to prove it once again.