For some, Thanksgiving is all about volunteering

Americans deeply cherish their Thanksgiving traditions, which are passed down and shared by generations.

Unfortunately for some, these traditions include eating way too much, watching football in a zombie-like state, or squabbling over who gets the TV remote.

Thankfully, the spirit of sharing in a meaningful way is alive and well in the Fox Valley, as personified by Sharon McGill of Elgin, and Ruthann Birr and Mike and Drew Roberts of St. Charles.

St. Joseph in Elgin

Sharon McGill has spent hours preparing to feed 800 to 1,000 people this Thanksgiving -- not at her home, but at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elgin, where a community dinner is a long-standing tradition.

McGill has been involved with the parish for years, and when the former organizers couldn't manage the massive effort after 21 years of service, McGill stepped in.

"We had 12 children in our family, we grew up in Elgin," McGill said. "We had a lot of family traditions, but we couldn't all get together when my siblings started moving out of the area.

"I usually had Thanksgiving at my house, but now my daughter is old enough to host it, so I feel I can be at the church. Our parish is really more of a community than a church, and our Thanksgiving meal is about reaching out and helping others. It's for those who are alone, it's for the homeless and it's for people who can't afford a good meal."

Weeks before Thanksgiving, McGill sends tickets to the dinner to local schools and social service agencies so that teachers and staff can distribute them to singles, couples and families who can benefit.

McGill says she has many valuable helpers in her effort, but she also depends a lot on her family. Three of her four children live in the area, and they will join her Friday at the church to wash and put away dishes.

"When you leave that day, after the meal, you're exhausted," she said. "But also grateful for what we have in our lives and for the opportunity to share it with others."

Batavia UMC

Ruthann Birr of St. Charles began joining others for Thanksgiving dinner four or five years ago at the Batavia United Methodist Church.

She is a single mother, and as her son and daughter grew older, they began spending the holiday in Grand Rapids, Mich., with their father and his family.

This year, she coordinated the dinner, where the traditional turkey and all the trimmings are staples.

"It started as a dinner for those who are alone," Birr said. "And I went as a single mother. Today it kind of runs itself. We pick up men from the Wayside Cross Ministries drug rehab program, those who can't leave because of where they are in their rehabilitation. This is anywhere from 45 to 65 men. It gives the staff a chance to have dinner with their families. And we take our leftovers to the Hesed House shelter in Aurora.

"Our dinner is open to anyone who is alone or just looking for a place to go. I'm the unofficial church photographer and I take photos. Our children make drawings for the place mats. One gentleman comes from Elburn every year.

"It's great to see the same families come back. Our church is very family-oriented, and my church is my family. You get more than you give."

St. Charles

Mike Roberts of St. Charles is an engineer, but he used to be a cook.

For the last six years, he and members of his family have helped serve the food at the Lazarus House Thanksgiving dinner. The event has grown, and this year it is being held at the Salvation Army in St. Charles rather than at the homeless shelter itself.

"My wife was volunteering at Lazarus House and I volunteered to run the kitchen for the Thanksgiving dinner," Roberts said. "It brings back memories. My family helps, and a good friend joins us and we have a lot of fun. There is a great group of people at Lazarus House and it's a wonderful community event. We serve in excess of 300 people."

"We take in the food and keep it warm," said Mike's son, Drew, 21, a student at Northern Illinois University.

"My dad makes sure the turkeys are fully cooked. They are not served unless he signs off on them. He uses a food thermometer. Some people bring in turkeys that are under-cooked. If it looks sketchy, we have to throw them out. But we've always had plenty of food and it's a good time.

"My mom, my sister and my cousin help. It's nice to help and to hang out. We take leftovers to the fire house."

If you go

Batavia: Free dinner from 1 to 3 p.m. today in Fellowship Hall at Batavia United Methodist Church, 8 N. Batavia Ave. (Route 31), downtown Batavia. (630) 879-7060

St. Charles: Dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Salvation Army, 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles. Dining will begin at noon. Those able to cook are asked to bring a dish to share. Food should arrive between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. in a disposable container and ready to serve. (630) 587-2144

Elgin: The 24th annual Thanksgiving Day dinner for those in need, alone or homebound by St. Joseph Catholic Church of Elgin. Meals are served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today in the school cafeteria, 274 Division St., Elgin.