From Basking Ridge to Plainfield: Songbird’s Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day, the Songbird, a local youth volunteer group consisting of students from William Annin Middle School and Ridge High School, continued their tradition of giving back to the community. With the goal of nourishing both the soul and the body, the Songbird returned to the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield for their second year of serving heartfelt Thanksgiving meals for visitors. At the church, couple Denise and Charlie have continued a tradition of 19 years. Every Thanksgiving, volunteers gather at the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield to serve dinner to anyone who visits the church, seamlessly organizing the food service every year and providing visitors with company.

Five adults and six members of Songbird volunteered to help out, and began preparing Thanksgiving dishes in the early morning. In addition to serving visitors, the Songbird also agreed to donated food as well. Before the members and parents left the house, they had prepared 16 trays of piping hot Thanksgiving staples. All of the members had contributed through copious donations, shopping for items, and rigorous planning through email communication. Although there was anticipation in air as the Songbird walked through the doors of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, the members were eager to extend their hands and begin.

The Songbird bustled around for the entire service, helping to dish out meals for the endless line when the visitors arrived, handing out pies and cookies at the dessert table, cleaning the floor and tables, and co-manging the kitchen. From the beginning to the end, the Songbird provided 150 beanies for the winter, the warm apparel symbolic of the spirit of Thanksgiving. In addition to the Songbird’s assistance, the Amani jazz band performed saxophone and percussion, the sweet holiday tunes and uplifting music filling the air. The tiny auditorium of the church was completely packed with people of all ages and backgrounds, but those who came looking for a Thanksgiving meal always left filled with satisfaction. Some even danced along to the syncopation of the rhythm!

In total, over three hundred and thirty people came to the service. Despite the incredibly long lines of people waiting to be served and sitting at the tables, the large numbers only meant that more love was being circulated from one person to another. The Songbird is truly grateful for the opportunity to join hands with the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield and dedicate their holiday to sharing the joy of Thanksgiving with others. The Songbird also extends their thanks to the Northern New Jersey Chinese Association for their money donation and support. At the of the day, Thanksgiving is about dedicating the day not only to loved ones, but to those that deserve to be loved. Regardless of where one is from or what they do for a living, the power of love brings them together. The Songbird believes that the love of service can be conveyed and understood in all forms of life, and is looking forward to many more Thanksgiving under the roof of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield.