COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Across El Paso County Thursday, hundreds of Salvation Army volunteers gave up their own Thanksgiving celebrations to make sure no one in the community spent the holiday alone. The annual meal brought together families, veterans and neighbors who may not have had a place to gather otherwise.<\/p>\n
Salvation Army Corps Officer Stephen Ball said the turnout shows the strength of the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a true expression of love from the community. As you can see around, there is just hundreds of volunteers here, that are going to be expressing our love for those that are just without a friend to sit with and enjoy a meal,\u201d Ball said.<\/p>\n
Many volunteers still had family gatherings waiting for them later in the day, but chose to serve first. Ball said the spirit mirrors the commitment of people who work through the holidays.<\/p>\n
\u201cShelter workers, hospitals, fire, police, they actually plan their family celebrations after they do the work of taking care of others,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For some guests, today\u2019s meal may be the only one they receive. Ball said the mission is about more than the food on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want everyone, even those that are struggling and on the margins in some ways, to just know they are part of this family,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ball said he hopes the people who attended walk away with something deeper.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea that others care, and that people are giving and willing to give, to share, to feel like you are special,\u201d Ball said.<\/p>\n
Members of the military community also stepped in to serve. Fort Carson\u2019s Command Sergeant Major Travis Manuel helped distribute meals throughout the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanksgiving is about coming together as a community, giving back. It is an honor. Nothing more I would rather be excited about than just giving back to the community that gives so much to the soldiers at large,\u201d Manuel said.<\/p>\n
Manuel said the most meaningful part came from serving meals directly to those who needed them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing behind that serving line, being able to put meals in people\u2019s hands, see their face, being able to connect with them one-on-one and talk to them and just let them know they matter, this community matters. It is just a great feeling, a great experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With tens of thousands of veterans living across the Front Range, Manuel said today\u2019s event held added importance.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though they are out of the service, they are always part of the service and that, to us, is, you know, we are a family. We are a brotherhood. We depend on them. They depend on us. And when we come together like this and just being able to share the experiences together, to talk, to reconnect. I mean, that is really what Thanksgiving is about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
From Colorado Springs to Woodland Park, organizers said Thursday\u2019s gatherings provided not just meals but connection, comfort and a sense of belonging for people across the region.<\/p>\n
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