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Schools

Murrieta Mesa High School Celebrates Thanksgiving Early

More than 1,000 Murrieta residents attended Murrieta Mesa's fourth annual "Share the Harvest" Thanksgiving Dinner and Fall Festival.

Murrieta Mesa High School, the Interact Club and Rotary Club of Murrieta hosted their fourth annual “Share the Harvest” Thanksgiving Dinner and Fall Festival Saturday.

“We’re trying to reach out to the elderly and economically challenged in our community but everyone is welcome,” said Michael Stowe, a mathematics teacher who organized the dinner.

“It is a nice way to gather and get to know your community.”

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Murrieta resident Anna Robinson said she was especially grateful. She brought her friend Cheri Mitchell to the event.

“I have been coming here for the last three years and it is always wonderful,” said Robinson.

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“The food is so good and the people are always so kind; I feel so thankful.”

Mitchell agreed.

“Everything is wonderful, but the turkey is especially good,” said Mitchell. “It is perfect; so juicy and there is no need for seasoning.”

Dinner included turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, drinks, and pies for dessert.

Student volunteers, school staff members, parents and Rotary members cooked,prepared and served the meals and conducted the Fall Festival activities, which included games for the children.

In addition, a limited number of Thanksgiving meal boxes were distributed for families to take home.

“We wanted everyone to be able to enjoy a nice meal, meet the members of the community and relax,” said Stowe. “We also send them home with food so they don’t have to worry about their holiday meal.”

Stowe hoped the event, along with the food given out, would feed 2,000 people.

Along with feeding those in need, he hopes the (volunteer) students will learn the importance of helping others.

“I hope they realize the importance of helping others and the joy that comes with it."

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