VALDOSTA — Residents of Hudson Dockett and Ora Lee West housing projects were treated to an early holiday feast Tuesday by the Lowndes Drug Action Council Inc. (LODAC) and Valdosta Housing Authority (VHA).

Residents enjoyed fellowship as well as a traditional Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey and dressing, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce and dessert.

The turkey was smoked by Sam’s Barbecue and the food was catered by Diane Goins, a resident of Hudson Dockett and employee of the Lowndes County School System.

Housing project residents assisted LODAC and VHA employees in serving the food and attending to the guests. VHA Director Mark Stalvey and LODAC Interim Director David Troy were joined at Hudson Dockett by LODAC employees Carol Berry, Derek Scott and Christopher Brandon, while Bill Holt and other LODAC employees served the residents of Ora Lee West.

“This is just our way of giving back to the tenants,” Troy said. “It has been a tradition for at least 15 years. We are so happy to see this many people volunteer and come to this area for something positive, in spite of recent events. I’d also like to send thanks to the parents who allowed their children to come and volunteer, while trusting us to ensure their safety.”

Volunteers included Valdosta State University students from Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Heart to Heart, Valwood high school students, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members, South Health District Youth Development Coordinator Percy Chastang, Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine, Barry Harris, Tammy Wright Harris, Valdosta City Councilman James Wright and Valdosta Mayor John Fretti.

“This is the time we need to renew our thoughts back to family and faith because that is what sustains us,” Fretti said. “This weekend, everyone should try to find something to be thankful for because it is certainly all around us. Sometimes we just can’t see it.”

Prine said, “Just being here letting them know we care and communicating with the younger generation is the most important thing.”

The event was sponsored by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Publix, said VHA Board Chair Robert Jenkins.

Approximately 300 meals were distributed at each of the housing projects.