BHS Thanksgiving Dinner Continues Tradition

11/23/2012 (Updated 10:51:33 PM)

(Source: Jason Weinstein)

From the assembly line that fills the 2,000 plates to the 200 student volunteers who deliver them, the 18th annual Binghamton High School Thanksgiving Day Dinner was a production that gave thousands of people a place to go for the holiday.

"Yes, it's quite busy. The kids are doing a great job," said BHS assistant principal Eudes Clark.

For 94-year-old Romaine Gresko and 93-year-old John Podrazil, it's their 2nd annual Turkey Day at the High School.

"Mingle. Talk to everybody, y'know. And the people are very nice. The workers are all nice," said Podrazil.

"The young fellas and the young women are very, very nice," said Gresko.

And the food...

"We like the turkey," said Podrazil.

"Oh, it's delicious. The food is delicious. And I love the potatoes," said Gresko.

"We were here for about three hours yesterday doing all the decorations. All the food prep and everything to set up for today. And there were a bunch of people here this morning starting at 8 am," said BHS senior Morgan Spear.

Aside from the food kids who came to the dinner were able to pick up a free book or toy.

"They're really excited. They leave with a gift and they have a big smile on their face. And they're telling their sibling and their parent about what they got so it's really fun to watch that part of it," said BHS teacher Emily Buss.

"I feel it's a really good experience for these people to get out here and be with people and not just be by themselves," said Spear.

And the planning is already underway for next year's dinner.

"It's a year-round effort. As soon as this dinner is over we'll already be getting ready, thinking, 'OK, what went well. What didn't go well,' and start to plan for next year," said Dinner Chairperson Esteban Doyle.

****In Binghamton, Jason Weinstein, FOX 40 HD News****