Joy, love, and togetherness can be felt by the guests and the participants volunteering
Some came by foot, others by car and many by bus. Arriving at Malibu Methodist Church on Thanksgiving morning, they were seeking a hot meal and convivial camaraderie — they were seeking an embracing community to share our nation’s annual day of gratitude.
“The Ettenger, Gabbard, and Malecha-Brickin families have been organizing the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the last 28 years,” Diane Malecha-Bricklin said. “Our kids have grown up together and have spent every Thanksgiving together from its inception, and now, they are the ones heading up the kitchens, kids’ craft tables, food, volunteers, and they are bringing the unhoused guests from the labor exchange to the dinner on the bus that we provide for the day.”
Through fires, windstorms, landslides, electrical power outages, the Y2K debacle, recessions and a pandemic, the church’s annual Thanksgiving day tradition has persevered, growing exponentially every year. The celebratory gathering includes a dinner, a clothing exchange, and the distribution of household items for those in need.
The event gives appreciation to the many Malibu Labor Exchange workers and their families and also supports the unhoused, as well as those who, for whatever reason, don’t have a place to celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a quintessential“come one, come all” affair.
As one entered the church courtyard, he was welcomed by friends old and new and was offered incredibly delicious freshly squeezed orange juice.
“It’s important to be thankful for what we have and to give back to those who work at the Malibu Labor Exchange and to others who have always helped our families,” Ron Vandor said, handing out juice and noting that he has volunteered at the event since its inception. “This is part of my family’s tradition.”
Ruben and Gladys Gonzalez nodded in agreement, busily assembling rows and rows of cups for juice as some gathering nearby enjoyed coffee and delicious pastries and doughnuts.
Gregorio Saavedra & Agave Azu performed lively Banda music — a genre derived from Oaxaca. Smiling ebullientlyas they played an impressive ensemble of brass and percussion instruments, they jubilantly shared an impressiverepertoire of marches, gustos, corridos, and danzones as the courtyard filled up with delighted and relaxed attendees.
Inside the church hall kitchen, volunteers busily arranged a potluck table filled with a bountiful Thanksgiving feast.Rows of chafing dishes full of aromatic dishes were accompanied by bilingual placards so that all could explore the various dishes in the epicurean feast. Those who haven’t had the pleasure and honor of learning Spanish curiouslylooked at the placards, learning they were being offered ensalada (salad), pavos (potatoes), pure de papas (sweet potatoes), salsa de pavo (turkey gravy), elotes (green beans), salsa de arándanos (cranberry sauce), rinocerontesdisecados (stuffed rellenos), arroz (rice), and panecillos calientes (hot bread rolls). Of course, there was ham (jamon) and the piece de resistance, succulent turkey.
Spending a holiday volunteering
So, why do so many local volunteers perennially spend their Thanksgiving day serving others?
The answers are both simple and uplifting.
“I’ve brought my daughters Carrington and Leighton with me to volunteer today because I want them to understand how blessed we are and I want them to be thankful for their blessings,” Nicholas Hale said.
Aimee Abelson brought her three children, ages 8, 10, and 11, so they could contribute. Abelson’s sister, Malibuite Maggie Kerner, chimed in saying, “Together, we brought seven children to help so that they can know that they can volunteer and be full of joy.”
Watching her children help adults fill chafing dishes, arrange serving utensils and attend to final serving and presentation details, Abelson said, “The kids were excited to come volunteer and I’m trying to show them how to be grateful and contribute.”
Soon, a long line of hungry attendees were filling their plates with all the bounty, sitting down to enjoy and engage in conversation with attendees young and old.
Those who rested and enjoyed — which many seldom have the opportunity to do otherwise — reflected about why they attend the event every year.
“My niece and I have attended this Thanksgiving feast since she was a child,” Lucky Vincente said. “I’ve worked with the Labor Exchange for 20 years.” Smiling, Ana Gonzalez Vincente, Lucky’s niece, commented, “I love attending this event and I also love helping my aunt who watches pets and does housekeeping — all in all, we like helping others.”
After the main dishes, there were, of course, several dessert selections. There were pies, pies, and more pies, a few types of cake and cookies too.
A strong army of volunteers with a strong commitment to Malibu
“In our 28 years, we have never been short on food, volunteers, clothing, or personal care items because the people of Malibu make it happen each year,” Malecha-Bricklin said. “The donations keep coming in right up to Thanksgiving Day, enough to serve up to 250 people.”
Addressing the true meaning and spirit of both Thanksgiving and of the church gathering tradition, she added, “Joy and love and togetherness can be felt by the guests and the participants. It’s one big family for that afternoon.”
Such an effort cannot be accomplished without the generosity of many local residents and businesses.
”Volunteerism, compassion, inclusion and grace are alive and well in Malibu,” Kay Gabbard said. “We are the village. We are small but mighty, and Thanksgiving is just one way we come together to bring joy to the lives of others!”
Gabbard noted that many volunteers contribute their time and energy every year. Gabbard is a leader in Malibu’s effort to support those who face housing challenges. She feeds Malibu’s unhoused four times a week and has worked endlessly to bring services to the unhoused population in Malibu. She is also the president of the Malibu Community Labor Exchange and helped to secure an office behind Santa Monica Community College in Malibu to keep this very valuable service in Malibu.
“We acknowledge Maria de la Cruz, who deserves a special shoutout for her support for our church programs,” Gabbard said. “She has been volunteering with our feeding program since before COVID, when the late Maggie Luckerath and Jane Bos and a group of ladies cooked at the church every Tuesday morning before COVID hit so that the homeless could be fed.”
Elaborating, Gabbard noted, “Maria also volunteers to help Patty Mendoza keep our church running smoothly and to ensure we have supplies and that the church is clean and ready and inviting for folks on Sunday morning! They are very enthusiastic and hardworking. We are grateful for both of them!”
There are so many more to thank for supporting the Thanksgiving dinner effort, she noted. “Micah Johnson has been part of our church for about five years and he does whatever we need, and more. He always does so with a smile and a sense of joy. Both Maria and Micah are a blessing.”
Volunteer Sandra Valdez helps every year as well. As The Malibu Times caught up with her sorting clothes for the attendees to take, she reflected on participating, simply saying, “I attend the church and it’s wonderful to give back.”
Gabbard noted that Johnson, de la Cruz, and Valdez “have been unhoused at sometime in their life and are now of service to others in need.”
Volunteer Samantha Cardilino showed up with some food donated from Malibu Farm, where she works. Ollo generously contributed some food as well, and its new co-owner, Kim Jacoby, said, “We’re so happy to help!”
Appreciation also goes to Spruzzo’s, area scout troops, school classrooms, other local restaurants, area houses of worship, Malibu families and residents who all helped to make the event successful, Ettenger said.
As attendees began to disperse, many volunteers took a moment to process how special the event is and what it meansto the community as well as to the attendees. Pausing to reflect, Johnson remarked, “I am thankful for the possibilities that are ahead in life.”