CRESTONE — Over the last two decades, the Crestone/Baca Grande communities have gathered for an annual Thanksgiving celebration, and this year is no different. The feast benefits the nonprofit Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) group based in Saguache County. 

NHN acting president Mary Lowers told the Valley Courier, "Right now, I'm looking for 16 people to cook the turkeys, and I know I will find them. We provide mashed potatoes, stuffing, and salad, and everything else is potluck. We ask for a donation, and if you can't make one, that is OK, come join us and eat. Everyone is invited and I expect we will serve about 500 people." 

Nick Nevares, one of the event organizers, said that at the last count, 32 turkeys will be roasted by volunteers for the several hundred guests expected. 

It is a community event; volunteers cook and carve the turkeys. The gathering is a giant potluck, and everyone is invited to bring a dish. "We want to see yummy creative side dishes, salads, and desserts," said Nevares. 

“This year, we will be back at the Crestone Charter School and have a larger facility; we can seat about 150 people at a time A big shout-out to T-Road Brewing, who has hosted us for the last several years,” said Nevares. Lowers concurred, "We will be at the Crestone Charter School, which is such a wonderful place to have it. We are so grateful to use the school. If the weather is good, we can seat over 150 people in that space, including the outside tables. People get to see people they know. This such a wonderful gathering." 

The feast accepts donations to sponsor Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite the community in supporting the well-being of households in crisis to stabilize their situation. The event benefits NHN, and donations to the group can be made on-site or at the Crestone Mercantile on Galina Street before the event. 

According to the group, "A crisis is a one-time event, like an accident or illness, which impacts the family's financial stability.  

“We respond to the needs and problems of people living in crisis situations by directly paying bills that will restore stability, giving them a chance to get on their feet without creating further instability.” 

Alisa Severskaya, who is volunteering at the event, said, "We're a very unique community here in Crestone. It has a small population and is very concentrated on individuality. But we all come together effortlessly. Community Thanksgiving is a yearly tradition for us. There are people who donate turkeys and others cook. Then, everyone gathers for a potluck brunch. Nick's real estate company, Mountainside Realty, sponsors several events throughout the year, and this is one of them, in collaboration with NHN. It's an incredible experience to be in this town." 

According to Lowers, this year, everyone is asked to abide by the following rule: "No politics, please. I'm sure the readers of this will appreciate that. We are politics-free." This rule is in place to ensure that everyone can enjoy the event in a comfortable and welcoming environment.  

The Crestone Community Thanksgiving will be at the Crestone Charter School on Lime Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 24. To donate or to cook a turkey, text 720-989-1881. To donate to Neighbors Helping Neighbors, visit www.nhncrestone.com; checks can be mailed to POB 822, Crestone, CO 81131.