More than 200 share feast at Elgin school

With her bright, bubbly nature and smile, Amy Roberts' mission was to pass on the holiday cheer.

Roberts was a volunteer Thursday during the 24th Thanksgiving Day dinner, held in Elgin at St. Joseph Catholic School.

She was supposed to spend only a few hours serving food but said she just couldn't stop working because she was having so much fun.

"I was so sad that they were trying to make me leave," she said.

So she decided to stay and greet as many people as she could -- she even took time to play with other people's children.

Organizers said more than 2,000 people were invited to partake in the day's festivities.

More than 200 people were served dinner, which is intended for the needy and those who don't have anyone to share the holiday with.

Volunteers served turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans and various types of pie -- always with a smile.

They also delivered nearly 90 dinners to people who couldn't leave their homes in Elgin, South Elgin and Carpentersville, said Sharon McGill, who has organized the dinner for the past three years.

As they filed out, many attendees either had looks of gratitude in their eyes or large smiles on their faces.

"It's just very gratifying when people share their traditions by baking the pies and their time," said Nancy Nordtvedt, a Streamwood woman who serves as pie monitor and has volunteered for six years.

Fernando Leyva of West Dundee said he was absolutely astounded with the love and care volunteers showered on him and his family.

Because he, wife Cecilia and their two young sons don't have family living close by, the Thanksgiving dinner in Elgin was the perfect option.

"I'm overwhelmed because of their kindness," he said, noting that volunteers were always there to ask if he needed more coffee or pie.

"We were treated right."