BY STACY SOBOTKA
The Romeo community came together to celebrate Thanksgiving with a dinner at the Romeo Masonic Temple.
Organized by James Routheaux, it was the sixth year for annual dinner.
“The Masons, they are very gracious. They host the spot, and we have the whole facility to use,” he said.
More than 50 volunteers donated their time on Thursday to prepare and serve a hearty Thanksgiving dinner to anyone who showed up at no cost, no questions asked.
Bruce Township resident Janet Battani made sure those who couldn’t make it to the dinner in person had a turkey dinner delivered to their home.
“We had 127 meals delivered to 43 residents in just 35 minutes,” she said.
Meals were also sent to all first responders, including the fire departments and the Michigan State Police at the Bruce Township post.
“Those people would not have Thanksgiving dinner otherwise,” Routheaux said.
Residents throughout Armada, Romeo, Washington Township and Bruce Township pitched in to help out and multiple organizations and businesses donated numerous pounds of food.
Ty Zimmer made numerous desserts from scratch for the dinner.
The 12-year-old hopes to become a cook or baker.
Volunteers started early preparations on Wednesday night and continued on Thursday morning.
Armada Township Supervisor John Paterek prepared smoked turkeys and delivered them to the Masonic Temple.
“I have been grilling the turkeys for them for several years. It’s a very good program and a lot of special people work hard to make it happen,” he said.
Leftover food was donated to the Agape Center in Romeo.
Routheaux said giving back is the reason he enjoys doing the dinner.
“This is when everybody works together, and gets along. It’s just nice. When you hear the people on the phone and they call and you tell them you’re going to bring a dinner; and they’re all alone, their spouse has passed away or they’re sick,” he said. “When you hear the voice on the other end, you know that it means a lot to them, and they tell you that. That’s why I’ve been coming back every year to help because I feel like that’s something important that we take for granted, just a meal. To somebody else, that’s a lifeline. We just want to be here for those that need it.”
Battani said Routheaux was the one who deserved the bulk of the credit.
“I want to thank the community for making this come together. It’s an old cliché, but it does take a village to raise a child. The Masonic Temple allows us to put this meal on. Thank you, James, for coordinating this, and the people who donate the foods and money, we are grateful. Thank you to the Masonic Temple, our volunteers, our first responders, and elected officials for all you support,” she said.
Usually Sarah DeFour goes downtown to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
This year she brought her eight year old daughter Lillian with her to volunteer at the dinner.
“We love James (Routheaux) and we wanted to come down and feed the community,” she said.
Local leaders also pitched in to help.
Romeo Village President Meagan Poznanski, Romeo Trustee Justin Parker, Bruce Township Supervisor Mike Fillbrook, and Bruce Township Clerk Susan Kraft were among the volunteers.
“It’s awesome how so many members of a community come together. It’s just wonderful,” Fillbrook said.
