U.S. Thanksgiving celebrated at P.E.I. church
A sold-out crowd of 250 people celebrated U.S. Thanksgiving in a Charlottetown church hall on Thursday.
"It does make you feel like home," said Paul Teodoro, who is visiting P.E.I. from Virginia with his wife.
"There's turkey, and I hear you don't call it stuffing, but we call it stuffing, and cranberry sauce and things like that, and those things do make you feel at home. And there's a feeling of actual thanksgiving, of giving thanks for all that we have."
It's been a busy time at St. Paul's Anglican Church, where volunteers cooked up about 150 kg of turkey.
"We've been cooking for two days," said volunteer Carolyn Dawe-Jenkins.
Volunteer Mary Gard said the event is about celebrating everyone, and all are welcome.
"It's important in a multi-cultural society to acknowledge other people's holidays," said Gard.
"Even more so now because we have more and more people who are coming from many different countries to Prince Edward Island."
Jane White-Hassler, who lives in P.E.I. part-time, started out as a patron at the dinners and now volunteers.
"I miss my family, so this is a really nice time and a good opportunity to be with friends," she said.
The church said between 20 and 50 Americans usually take part in the event.
The dinner will continue to spread good cheer as a fundraiser for the church's Christmas hamper program, which helps families in need in the Charlottetown area.
