Columbus mayor Robert Smith’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon honoring Columbus and Lowndes County’s senior citizens will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday at the Trotter Convention Center.
Smith said the yearly event, which will be held for the eighth time, has become something residents 55 years of age and older look forward to and ask him about regularly. Area school students, members of the Columbus Air Force Base and other community volunteers will participate.
Smith said about 950 seniors attended last year’s lunch and volunteers also prepared carry-out meals for others.
“The primary purpose of this event is to give senior citizens an opportunity to unite and have fellowship with family and friends throughout the city and county and also to give them an opportunity to be reacquainted with old and new friends,” Smith said. “It also is a way to let our senior citizens know how much we appreciate their contributions and services they’ve rendered to the city and county.
“The main thing I’ve learned and observed since we’ve been doing this event is the senior citizens look forward to it. They enjoy the camaraderie between family and friends.”
Funding for the lunch comes from business sponsorships and proceeds from a fundraiser held this summer featuring Columbus native and Minnesota Vikings head football coach Leslie Frazier.
For more information, call the mayor’s office at 328-7021.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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