Retired Trinity High School teacher and civic leader Mildred Harris died June 21, 2008, at the age of 85. Her passing left a void in her church community.

However, her friends determined that they would honor her memory by carrying on the tradition of the Community Thanksgiving Dinner that Harris was instrumental in beginning and supported throughout the years.

“On Sept. 20, some of the former helpers of Mrs. Harris joined together to commit to continuing serving the free Thanksgiving meal in Athens,” said Clarence Johnson, pastor of Poplar Creek Missionary Baptist Church and this year’s meal chairman.

“This community service was begun approximately 24 years go by members of Village View United Methodist Church. After some years, Mrs. Harris, one of the original members, carried on this ministry, serving as the chief coordinator along with the assistance of many members of local churches and the community.”

Johnson said the free Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day has for the past two dozen years provided a traditional meal with all the trimmings to people in the community who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy this meal that most of the community takes for granted.

“It was the general consensus of those who initially comprised the committee that the ministry operations would be moved from Village View UMC to Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America at 923 Brownsferry Street, which is larger.

Committee members are Donna Johnson, Poplar Creek M.B. Church; Georgia Nichols, Sweet Home; Jimmy Powers, Lindsey Lane Baptist; Katie Settle, Little Ezekiel; Charles Williams, Oak Grove CME; Robert Rice, Antioch; and Johnson.

Johnson said that all money and items donated to the meal will be accounted for in records and any remaining funds will be turned over to Athens-Limestone United Way for distribution to other charitable agencies.

But to make such a large endeavor come off smoothly, Johnson said organizers need volunteers.

“Volunteers are needed to assist in the ministry house for making the plates to go to the communities we’ll be serving,” said Johnson. “Drivers are needed for transporting these meals. Volunteers need to arrive at the ministry house at 7 a.m. If we have enough volunteers, we will divide the 7 a.m.-to-1p.m. time frame into shifts so no one will have to stay the whole time.”

Johnson said those people signed up to receive deliveries would begin getting their meals at approximately 8 a.m.

“Other individuals expressing a need for a meal need to call Poplar Creek at (256) 729-8852 through Nov. 26 between 1-5 p.m. to submit their request,” said Johnson.

Community walk-ins will be fed at the Antioch CPCA Ministry House 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., he said.

Volunteers and volunteer drivers are requested to sign up by calling Poplar Creek and leaving their names and phone numbers.

“The answering machine for this number is located in the pastor’s office only,” said Johnson. “Individuals’ privacy will be protected as the information provided will be for the purpose so stated.”