Served Free Traditional Thanksgiving Day Meal
WATCH: Each year on Thanksgiving morning, the Sharing Center of Central Brevard opens their doors for a FREE traditional Thanksgiving meal. My broadcasting partner, Orville Susong, and I were fortunate to be there to capture the spirit of the day. Volunteers were in abundance, and our hearts were full as we spoke with people that took the time out of their day to make a difference in their community.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – My broadcasting partner, Orville Susong, and I were at the Sharing Center of Central Brevard in Cocoa on Thanksgiving morning. We witnessed what we see every year, volunteers and the community coming together to help those in need.
Each year on Thanksgiving morning, the Sharing Center opens their doors for a FREE traditional Thanksgiving meal. The remarkable thing is to see volunteers working to feed individuals they most likely do not know.
What makes a person want to wake up early on a holiday morning and volunteer their time. We spoke to several people and posed that question.
Dr. Kristine Zonka, Administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Brevard, was volunteering, as was her husband, Milo Zonka. Dr. Zonka told me, “This is giving back, this is something easy we can do.” She went on to say, “It makes you feel good in your heart to do something good for the community.”
I also spoke with local attorney and former Port Canaveral Commissioner Robyn Hattaway, and posed the same question, asking her, “why volunteer?” She told me, “I think that is where I get my energy, by giving back and meeting other people in the community and learning from them.” In talking about the Sharing Center, Hattaway said, “This place is so special.” Hattaway told me she enjoys meeting people at the Sharing Center each year, getting to know them and hearing their stories.
As Orville and I moved around the facility, we kept hearing the words “LEAD Brevard.” There were several volunteers from Lead Brevard that were assisting. I talked with LEAD Brevard President/CEO Kristin Bakke about volunteering. She said, “Today is a day where we can help others and just demonstrate some of the leadership that I see in our alumni every day.”
Cocoa City Councilman Alex Goins, who was volunteering his time as well, told me, “Sharing Center meals aren’t just about filling up the stomach. The Sharing Center is more about showing love and compassion for your fellow man. Thanks to the Sharing Center and all that donate to all their endeavors. The City of Cocoa salutes you all.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020 and Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
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