Recruits pack Gurnee church for Thanksgiving lunch and dinner
Kyle Lundgren hadn’t had a candy bar in eight weeks. So who could blame the 19-year-old Navy recruit from Dallas as he stuffed a few Kit Kats into his pants pocket?
“I’ve got to save a few for later but I don’t think I’ll have any room for them after I take down the feast being prepared in there,” he said. “This was an incredible surprise.”
Lundgren was one of 165 recruits from nearby Great Lakes Naval Station bussed over to participate in the annual Gurnee Community Church Thanksgiving lunch and dinner for recruits.
After arriving at 10 a.m., the recruits took over the sprawling church. They watched football games broadcast on the big screen in the sanctuary, played video games in designated rooms, snacked from the candy-filled bowls all around the church, logged in to check their Facebook accounts and took advantage of a bank of 25 cellphones donated to allow the recruits to call home, whether it be in Waukegan or Mexico.
“We’ve heard that groups often adopt some recruits for the holidays and that we’d be lucky to be chosen,” said Courtney McClain, after talking to her mother back home in Fort Worth, Texas. “But this is amazing. It’s really sweet that everyone donated their time and food to give us a Thanksgiving.”
Church member and volunteer Ken Roscher said the church began the tradition more than 15 years ago with a small group of recruits and the program eventually grew to the 26-turkey feast enjoyed Thursday afternoon and evening.
“It’s countless hours from volunteers and about 465 pounds of turkey, but everything here today is to give these young (recruits) a taste of home, wherever that may be,” Roscher said. “They deserve a day to just hang out and unwind because tomorrow, they get right back at it.”
Lawrence Smith, also of Dallas, appreciated the R and R.
“I’m thankful for this meal and free time with new friends today,” he said. “But I’m also thankful to have been woken up this morning without being put on my face. No pushups today.”