Don and Bonnie Roher, organizers of Wrangell's annual Thanksgiving basket handout, are preparing for another year of giving food to families in need. This will be their last year leading the event, they said, closing out a 20-year run. They are seeking volunteers to pick up the torch and carry on the event for them.
The Thanksgiving basket handout, organized by Don and Bonnie Roher on behalf of the Wrangell Ministerial Association, has been a longstanding tradition in the community. Thanksgiving dinner is typically an elaborate and somewhat expensive meal to put together. In a community like Wrangell, there are many families who need a little help when the holiday season rolls around. Beginning their tradition in 2000, according to Bonnie, the Rohers and other volunteers put together baskets of Thanksgiving dinners of varying sizes, depending on the size of the family it is going to.
"We expect to give out about $5,000 worth of food," Don said. "We expect to take care of 80 to 85 families. Our priorities are families in distress ... Then single parent families, then multiple member families."
Counting the first year they started, Bonnie said that this will be the 20th Thanksgiving basket handout. It will also be the last one they are involved in. Don said they plan to retire this year. The ferry situation has caused them problems going south for the winter, he said, before the winter passes get filled with snow. While this will be the last basket handout they will be involved in, both Don and Bonnie said they hope the tradition will continue.
"I hope somebody else will take it over," Don said. "We're looking for volunteers to take it over."
The Thanksgiving baskets will consist of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, evaporated milk, muffin mix, jello, corn, yams, and several other items. The baskets will be free, but Don mentioned that there is a cost to put the baskets together. Bonnie added that they are seeking monetary donations to help pay for the food. Checks can be made out to Harbor Light, they said, as Pastor Kem Haggard and his wife, Susan, are treasurers for the event. Volunteers are also needed for the day of the handout, as well.
"Anybody that wants to come in is welcome," Bonnie said of the volunteers.
The handout will take place at Harbor Light Assembly of God, on Nov. 22 from noon to 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to receive a Thanksgiving basket, to volunteer, or to make a donation are urged to call the Rohers at (907) 305-0319, or to contact their local clergy for assistance signing up. The general deadline to register for a basket is Nov. 17, Don said.
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