After 47 years of hosting Thanksgiving dinners for the Quad City community, Mr. Thanksgiving hosted his largest feast yet during this year’s 48th annual feast.
Mr. Thanksgiving is 77-year-old Bob Vogelbaugh. Years ago, he began asking customers at his small local grocery store about their plans for Thanksgiving. Too often, his customers responded by saying the holiday was just another day to spend by themselves.
People close to Vogelbaugh say he has always been known to have a beaming heart, constantly thinking of others. His annual thanksgiving event is centered around bringing people together to celebrate everything there is to be thankful for. “It has always been about bringing the community together and not at all about the charity. It never has been,” Vogelbaugh said. “I love the socializing and gathering people together to eat together.”
Around 2,000 people were expected to attend, but organizers and volunteers alike were pleasantly surprised when that number was greatly surpassed and nearly 2,500 people came to enjoy this year’s dinner. This year’s event was hosted at SouthPark Mall in Moline where more than 100 Quad Citians volunteered to serve the food.
The atmosphere of the event is almost indescribable. A holiday, generally celebrated with family, is now opened up to be celebrated with the community. Everyone eating was smiling. The people serving were smiling. Everyone in the mall wanted to be there and was only focused on what was happening in that moment.
Christine Moose, a senior who wholeheartedly loves volunteering, especially at the Mr. Thanksgiving dinner, volunteered at the event this year. She said, “Being in the environment of giving and serving food was so fulfilling and I loved having that opportunity. I would definitely encourage anyone who gets the chance to go next year and help out.”
Vogelbaugh will continue the event for at least the next two years to reach his goal of serving 50 annual community Thanksgiving dinners.
With Christmastime nearing, many Pleasant Valley High School students embrace the spirit of giving and begin making plans to give back through volunteer work or by making monetary donations. While Mr. Thanksgiving’s annual event has ended, Vogelbaugh is happy to take donations in preparation for next year’s event, which costs over $25,000 to host. Donations may be addressed to “Mr. Thanksgiving” and mailed to 3704 26th St., Moline, IL 61265.
Even though people who are part of Mr. Thanksgiving’s event do not always know each other, they leave feeling connected. The spirit of giving and togetherness has a contagious effect. It spreads festive cheer throughout the community, which is an irreplaceable piece of the upcoming holiday season.
