After 19 years and about 6,000 Thanksgiving meals, we are stuffed with gratitude for all of you who make the Malibu Community Thanksgiving Dinner possible for Malibu Community Labor Exchange workers and people in need. As the three moms who started this community service project, we send our heartfelt appreciation to all those who volunteered and donated so that more than 300 people could enjoy a home-cooked meal, free haircuts, clothing and toiletries. Little ones loved the face painting and everyone loved the terrific entertainment from Malibu’s very own talented local musicians. It was a day full of joy with smiles all around.
We are especially grateful to Kay Gabbard of Malibu United Methodist Church, who is retiring this year. Kay is a beacon of kindness and wisdom, and Malibu families will always cherish her guidance and inspiration.
We send very special thanks to the following people and restaurants along with our wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season and New Year:
Eden Ettenger, Isaac Mackie and Johnnie Faillace, Elijah Ettenger, Roy Ettenger, Mollie Vandor, Ron Vandor, Susan and Ian Kelly, Tom Urban, the Sposato family, the Cole family, the Bixler family, Reverend Sandy Liddell, Roberto, Gary Peterson, Tabitha Di Leo, Frank, Loren, Bunny (Malibu Music Nights musicians), Coach Mike Mulligan and the Malibu High School water polo team, Susan Helm and the Pepperdine University Nutrition Department, Maxx Bricklin and Rose, Robyn and Cubbie Kyle, the Lodmer family, the Pietro family, Dana Friedman, Bruce Friedman, Malibu Farm, Spruzzo’s, Lily’s, PC Greens, Oscar Mondragon, the congregations and schools of Malibu, Celeste of Oceanne Malibu Salon and Hannah Lamonea (who have provided free haircuts for 14 years), Malibu West HOA, Tom Vangdergon and Cub Scout Pack 119, Paul and June Joseph, Augustine the bus driver, our “bus angel,” Jewish Federation of L.A., Malibu Jewish Center, Hans Laetz of KBU-FM, Cece and Steve Woods of The Local, Chris Bashaw of Malibu Surfside News, The Malibu Times, and the hardest working dishwashers ever — Ronen Moyal and Pam.
Cindy Vandor, Janet Hirsch-Ettenger and Diane Malecha-Urban