Volunteers met at the Lemont Township offices Tuesday afternoon to pack up turkeys, side dishes and desserts to distribute to 78 Lemont homes. The turkeys and all the trimmings that filled the big, blue bags were donated by friends of the Hope and Friendship Foundation from throughout the community.

Hope and Friendship Foundation founder Terri O’Neill-Borders thanked volunteers for the “amazing acts of kindness they made possible” by assembling and distributing the meals to help so many local families enjoy a happy Thanksgiving.

O’Neill-Borders said that by Tuesday night, she had already received emails, calls and texts of gratitude from recipients of the meals, including the following message:

"Dear Hope and Friendship, so happy you sent one of your ‘Friends’ to deliver not only a turkey, but sides and all of those wonderful desserts! What a blessing! This will truly be one of our best Thanksgivings yet! Thanking Sharon for bringing that beautiful bag up to the house and many thanks to your foundation and the countless works of charity you do. We will remember this gift and pass along a good word. God bless all you and we will stay in touch with the intention of returning your generosity soon. Sincerely grateful."

Editor's note: All photos are by Jordan Bielfeldt.

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