ECDC - First Thanksgiving dinner for refugees; a new year

Every year the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) hosts a dinner for newly-arrived refugees to our area; allowing them to experience their first Thanksgiving in their new country.

Numerous volunteers from religious institutions, civic organizations, and other caring citizens arrange food and entertainment, helping to set up and serve the meals. There were about 200 people celebrating this year, including refugee families, ECDC staff, and volunteers.

This year's refugee families came from Eritrea, Uganda, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Columbia, and other troubled places around the globe.

They were made to feel safe and welcome.

Refuge from the storms, both abroad and in our own nation.

(A shout out to members of Fabrangen, CPDP photographer Lloyd Wolf's spiritual community, who have been working with a newly-arrived Eritrean family. Kol hakavod. Ruth Stromberg, Sue Hoechstetter and Doris Hamburg were among the many who lent a hand at the event).

Thank you to Bridget Weisenreder and the rest of the caring and capable staff and leadership at ECDC for their help and great hearts.

Photography by Lloyd Wolf.