University of Nebraska–Lincoln students are helping make sure area families have a Thanksgiving to remember, providing meals and essentials through a collaboration with the Clyde Malone Community Center.
For five years, members of Sigma Phi Epsilon have supported the Malone Center in “cooking up better Thanksgivings” for the community through an annual fundraiser. Last year, funds collected went toward 1,200 turkeys for area families, and the group hopes to match that total this year.
John Goodwin, CEO of the Malone Center, said the students make the event possible.
“They’re one of the groups leading a charge in community efforts and community improvement in working with our agency,” Goodwin said.
Members of the fraternity will be raising money for the project until Nov. 22. Last year, they raised more than $20,000. Goodwin said the line for turkeys in previous years wrapped around the block. Any funds raised beyond what’s needed for 1,200 turkeys will go toward other items for families, including Thanksgiving staples like cranberry sauce and green beans or essentials like socks and underwear.
Marco Spinar, a sophomore economics major and Sigma Phi Epsilon’s vice president of programming, said members dedicate a room in their house to reach out to alumni, family, friends and others who may want to donate.
“Having one big event where we can all get together and help out the community has been such a great thing for this house and — we’ve seen it — a great thing for the community, as well,” Spinar said.
Spinar said the group also plans to approach local businesses to increase their total and purchase more items.
“We want to get as many bags in more people’s hands,” Spinar said. “That’s the core of what we do.”
The partnership began during the COVID-19 pandemic, building on an existing relationship between the fraternity and the Malone Center. Members had been helping with after-school programming in various subjects.
“They were bringing some of their knowledge and some of the things they love to teach our kids and give them an experience they were not getting in schools,” Goodwin said.
Volunteers saw the opportunity for greater involvement. The first year, the plan was to distribute 500 turkeys. The event has grown steadily since then.
Goodwin said he appreciates the students’ help during distribution. They prepare the meals, hand them out, take them to people’s cars and sometimes deliver them to homes — all with a smile.
“I’ve seen people’s majors change based on that experience of volunteering,” Goodwin said. “It takes a village to help people, and it takes people with a serving heart to be able to do that.”
Spinar said the experience opens members’ eyes to ways they can improve the community and motivates them to volunteer in other ways.
“It’s not anything you can learn from a class,” Spinar said.
For more information or to donate, contact Goodwin at john.goodwin@malonecenter.org or visit the Malone Center or Visionary Youth websites.
