‘Easter for us is special’

People thankful for Rescue Mission dinner

YOUNGSTOWN -- People receiving an Easter dinner Sunday at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley said they were thankful to get to spend time with others and receive a ham meal for the holiday.

The mission opened its doors for seven hours for the food and fellowship.

Mike Byers, food services director, said anyone could stop in for a meal that included ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, dinner roll and kolache.

"We serve meals to the public every day. On holidays we make it an all day affair. Easter for us is special and we wanted to make it special for those who stopped for a meal. We share the message of the resurrection of Jesus," Byers said.

Helping Byers to prepare were eight volunteers who started cooking early in the morning for the noon meal.

Among the volunteers was Youngstown resident Donna Hageman. She said her husband died 11 years ago and her two sons live out of state.

"I have been volunteering here for 10 years at the holidays. I am a regular donor to the mission's needs," Hageman said.

"With my family out of town, I like to come here on the holidays and help out where I can. I plan to do this as long as I am able and want to reach out and help someone else."

Lisa Kelley of Girard, said she started to help last summer and always works on the holidays. On Sunday, she helped serve the food.

"It makes me feel good to be able to help people," she said.

Jesse Boarts of Girard, said it was Kelley who recruited him to assist at the mission. He served the ham and green beans.

"People thanked us up and down for what we were doing and appreciated what we did for them. It made me feel like I was on top of the world being able to make Easter special for someone else," Boarts said.

Sandy Gabriel of Boardman, said she wanted to be able to give of herself on Easter so other people could have a special meal.

"I filled in wherever there was a spot open." she said while she served kolache.

Heather Doolittle of Youngstown, said it was a blessing for her to have a meal at Easter because she is from a big family with six children.

"My refrigerator went out so to have a meal is a blessing until I get a new fridge," Doolittle said.

Marianne Doolittle of Youngstown, said she enjoys being with her daughter and six grandchildren at Easter. She said her husband is in the intensive care unit at a hospital, which makes it difficult at the holidays.

The food for the meal was provided by the community. The mission has been offering a free meal on Easter for more than 30 years.