VALDOSTA — The Community Harvest Day began 14 years ago as a vision to bring the community together for a large Thanksgiving meal.

Rachel Bradley, director of Southside Recreation Center, 604 S. Oak St., said more than 200 people came to the center to share Thanksgiving dinner, participate in fellowship with other members of the community and watch live entertainment.

“We can’t make this happen without everybody coming together,” Bradley said. “We want to come together and say, ‘Look at what we have accomplished and what we can do.'”

The event began at 11:30 a.m. and went into the afternoon Saturday.

Bradley said the event is an opportunity to show residents all of the things the community center has done and continues to do for Valdosta. It also brings in new people to the center, which provides after-school programs for children.

The community center listened to people who attended and took suggestions for what the center could do in the future, she said.

“We want everyone to know they are a part of this center, and we are a part of the community,” Bradley said.

Since the state got rid of grant funding for the center, it is completely dependent on community donations. 

Bradley encouraged anyone and everyone to show their support and help the center provide services and opportunities.

The event is sponsored and supported by Sam’s Club, Mr. B’s IGA, Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ, Pepsi Beverage Company, Two Wheel Riders, Stan’s Quality Meats, Anderson & Bradley Attorneys At Law, Ladies United Chapter 229, Serenity Chapter 213, S.L. Mason’s Jr. Beta Club, St. John’s Chapter 357 and other community partners.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256