Elgin residents come together for community dinner

Residents gathered Thursday for the annual "Together We're Elgin" community Thanksgiving dinner at First United Methodist Church in Elgin.

Dinner organizer Jeff Turner has spearheaded the event for nine years and recently added other community dinners around Christmas and Valentine's Day. He also wants to add a summertime event, likely a cookout at a park and ideally in June.

Thursday's dinner was especially significant for Turner, who dedicated it to longtime Elgin Area School District U-46 teacher Jean Bowen, an avid supporter of the dinners, who died in September.

"I miss her being a part of this," Turner said.

As for the food, Turner said 1,000 pounds of turkey were donated by nonprofit organization Food For Friends, and staff at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin cooked and carved the meat.

Volunteers at First United Methodist Church served the main dish along with plenty of trimmings and several dessert options.

Jerry Hoover from Elgin thoroughly enjoys his time as a volunteer.

"The blessings that my wife and I receive in doing this are beyond reason," he said.