Dawson County Rotarians are hosting a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner next week.

The event will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.

The meal is free for everyone and will include a traditional Thanksgiving fare complete with all the fixings.

Brian Haas, pastor of Mountain Lake Church in Dawsonville, is helping to organize the event.
Haas said that Rotary is about service above self, and that the dinner is an opportunity to live that out for the community.

"This dinner is not just about providing food to families and individuals in need," Haas said. "This dinner is about providing community for people during the holidays. So whether you are serving and volunteering at the dinner or coming to enjoy the dinner, we hope you will enjoy the food and fellowship of community."

The community has indeed come together to make the dinner happen.

According to Haas, most of the food is donated by Sherm Day, and Rotary has purchased the paper products and some food items.

RIC-Rack, a local food bank and thrift store, also made several food donations.

The food will be prepared by Rotarians and other volunteers in the community.

"The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame is opening up their doors to allow us to host the event at their location," Haas said. "Other organizations and churches have jumped in to be involved in donating or volunteering. Even the Dawson County girls basketball team will be serving on that day."

The dinner will be in the meeting room in the back of the building at 415 Ga. Hwy. 53 East.

For more information on the dinner or to volunteer, contact Haas at Brian@mountainlake.church or call (770) 888-2513.