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For 12-year-old Conner Smith, Thanksgiving is about having fun and making people smile.
That's why he chose to join his family in volunteering at Twin City Mission on the holiday and plans to do it for many years to come.
"Just watching them be happy when we give them stuff, that's my favorite," the College Station boy said.
The mission on Thursday served 815 meals complete with dressing, sweet potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, green beans, a dessert and, of course, turkey.
It's just one more thing to do to help eliminate the daily stress for those struggling with the economy by providing a traditional meal for those in need so they can take time to pause and give thanks, said Ron Crozier, Twin City Mission community relations director.
"A lot of these families just don't have access to what you and I consider a regular meal," he said.
The number of meals prepared at the mission has doubled over the past 10 years, he said. Residents began calling in August to sign up to help with the holiday meal, he said.
Crozier understands that feeling. There's something about seeing people's smiles as they eat the meals that moves his heart.
"I've had other jobs more financially rewarding, careers; none of them compared to working here," he said.
Traditional Thanksgiving meals could be found across the county.
Brazos Valley Food Bank volunteers provided food for as many as 1,100 people, while Epicures Catering prepared food and delivered it for free. Members of Peace Lutheran Church cooked and distributed about 80 pies.
"There really shouldn't be anybody in our community that doesn't get to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal," Crozier said.
He said those at the mission prepared more meals this year because of the economy's decline. Last year, they served 675 meals, he said.
Réal Brideau said that though he might not see peace on Earth in his lifetime he still was thankful for a lot of things.
"Just still being alive, have a good meal with good friends and good company," he said between bites of stuffing.
Brideau, who was eating at the mission for at least the second year, said he was thankful for the Thanksgiving meal and being able to eat it with friends.
But that's not the main reason Brideau eats at the mission for the holiday, he said.
What makes it so special is seeing the genuine smiles and enthusiasm of the volunteers who work there, he said.
"I think they are going to go straight to heaven," he said. "They do it because they like it -- that's cool. [It's] not because they have to."
Conner's mother, Michele Smith, said her family had been volunteering on Thanksgiving for the past eight years.
"It would not be Thanksgiving if we didn't come here to serve," she said. "It's just something our family loves to do."
Not only does the mission staff expect them each year, Smith said. Many people who eat regularly at the mission recognize her family.
"It's our consistency, I think, that shows we care and we mean what we do," she said. "We're not going to forget about these people."
