Creighton’s Freshman Leadership Program held its annual Thanksgiving Dinner to benefit Precious Memories, a local non-profit daycare, this past Saturday. The FLP students were involved in all parts of organizing this event, including cooking the actual dinner.
This year, the event was held in the Harper Center Ahmanson Ballroom instead of Lower St. John’s, which allowed for a larger attendance.
“Our team worked in conjunction with some of the Sodexo executives here on campus to make the transition smooth,” FLP community activism executive and Business sophomore Ben Remarcke said. “Therefore, we were able to sell an additional 75 tickets to the dinner and make some huge changes which made our event the better than it has ever been.”
All of the proceeds from the event benefit Precious Memories, a daycare that provides affordable care to children without substantial financial backgrounds, mental disabilities or other difficulties in their life, according to Remarcke. Precious Memories had made a huge impact on the Omaha community because it never turns children away.
Remarcke added that for years, FLP has been sending service groups to Precious Memories and has formed a tight bond with the daycare over the years. In 2006, FLP alum Steve Kelly started the Thanksgiving Dinner as a benefit for the daycare so they could keep up their businesses during difficult financial times.
This year, the event was a huge success with around 275 people in attendance.
“There was quite a variety of people who attended the dinner, from students to parents to people from the Creighton and Omaha community,” said Ryan Didde, an Arts & Sciences freshman and head of the ticket sales and marketing committee.
“The dinner consisted of a full course Thanksgiving meal, as well as a short presentation of Precious Memories and all that it consists of,” Didde said.
The presentation in particular recognized efforts of representatives from Precious Memories including Grandma Verna, the owner and director of the daycare.
“She founded the daycare many years ago and built it to what it is today, [and] my favorite part was seeing the smile on Grandma Verna’s face as I recognized her during my short presentation,” Remarcke said.
“For me, the highlight was plating the meals for everyone to eat,” said Karen Sass, a Business freshman and the leader of the cooking team. “It was really fun to be part of the crew that made the dinner,”
All in all, the Thanksgiving Dinner benefit was a success and the FLP hopes to continue its efforts in the years to come.
written by: Manasita Tappata