Sultan's trademark slogan, "big heart, little city,GÇ¥ is never more apparent as it is during events like Sultan Harvest. Sultan's annual free Thanksgiving Day meal is one where everyone is welcome and nobody eats alone.
Hundreds of dinners were served during this year's Sultan Harvest in the Sultan High School commons on Nov. 26. The event was the result of a collaboration between the Sky Valley Volunteers of America and the Sultan Harvest Committee, which is made up of community volunteers. Numerous Sky Valley residents came forward to help, including Ann Marie Bunch, Camille Senechal, Christy Smithers and Ashley McCauley.
Former councilmembers Steve Slawson and Kristina Blair are longtime Sultan Harvest volunteers.
"We would like to thank all of our tireless volunteers and generous donations,GÇ¥ Blair said. "Thanks to the tremendous support from the community, we had enough food to fulfill all meals and a little left over that was shared with the senior center who also shares with the Boys & Girls Club.GÇ¥
Blair said 402 meals were served at the event, including to-go dinners and dinners delivered to homebound residents and those lacking transportation. This year's event also featured a new sandwich-making station, so folks could take home sandwiches.
Sultan Harvest was created 14 years ago, so everybody in the community would have a place to go on Thanksgiving. The community Thanksgiving dinner was initially held at Sultan City Hall, but moved to the VOA A-frame on First Street after about three years. For the last two years, it has been held at Sultan High School, the event also outgrowing the A-frame.
"I would like to thank the Sultan School District for the use of the high school commons,GÇ¥ Blair said. "Landing at the high school to accommodate our volume has been the perfect progression and shows how much this community supports this event.GÇ¥
The meal featured turkey and all the trimmings, including green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy. Dessert included pumpkin and apple pies, baked by Galaxy Chocolates owner Kathryne Paz.
"Special thanks to the Monroe Grocery Outlet who donated 10 turkeys, to members of the Crosswater Church for an additional 20 turkeys and three hams, to Wagley Creek Motors, Docufeed, Kindness Animal Clinic and Loggers Inn for their generous monetary donations,GÇ¥ Blair said. "And support from the campaigns of Mayor Carolyn Eslick and elected Councilmember Russell Wiita.GÇ¥
Wiita spent the day at Sultan Harvest, serving as the event's volunteer photographer for free family photos with Santa Claus. The day was not without technical challenges, as Wiita ran out of printer ink more than once. But he arranged to distribute the photos via email, and all enjoyed having their pictures taken with Santa.
Volunteer Jeff Aikens spend the day impersonating the jolly bearded one.
Twenty of the turkeys were smoked by local barbecue catering business 2 1/2 Men BBQ, which is owned and operated by former Sultan City Councilmember Ken Marshall and his business partner Larry Seaunier. In addition to helping prepare the food, 2 1/2 Men BBQ donated all the bread products and helped with the planning. Marshall's wife, RaeAnna, volunteered her time as well.
Other chefs included Nita and Wayne Lea. Nita is a food service professional, and helps facilitate Sultan's Future Chef Competition each year.
Free coats, scarves and hats were available to anybody in need, and children were allowed to choose from a large selection of cozy stuffed animals. Christy Smithers' Gold Bar Troop No. 41835 spearheaded the coat, scarf and mitten drive, and spent the month of November collecting donations.
Community volunteers Dave and Christina Sivewright spent the day volunteering at the event, along with their three boys, Robert, Caleb and Donovan. Dave served hundreds of dinners on the meal line, while the rest of the Sivewright crew filled in wherever they were needed.-á
"It's not possible to list everyone by name, but each volunteer is so important to the success of this event, and we are super thankful for each and every person who sacrificed time out of their day to serve others,GÇ¥ Blair said. "It takes nearly one volunteer hour for every meal served, so this year we had around 402 volunteer hours for this event.GÇ¥
Volunteers came from far beyond the Sky Valley. Trevor and Robert Unsicker just happened to be visiting Sultan from Utah, and decided to spend the day lending a hand. The brothers volunteered to serve beverages, and also helped guide the new, custom turkey sandwich-making station.
"It's so much fun,GÇ¥ Trevor said. "I love doing this kind of stuff.GÇ¥
Collection jars spread throughout the city also helped support the event, said Blair, with the most significant number of donations coming from J.D. Slick's. And the partnership with the VOA is critical, she said. From storing supplies to allowing for tax-deductible donations to publishing press releases, the VOA plays an integral role in Sultan Harvest.
"Our valley is an amazing community,GÇ¥ Blair said. "We look forward to serving you again next year.GÇ¥
Photos by Chris Hendrickson Sultan resident Inessa Pearce spent the afternoon volunteering at Sultan Harvest. Pearce owns a recreational lodging business near Startup called RockyGÇÖs Retreat, and is the chair of the new Sky Valley Environmental Alliance.
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