Thanks to the generosity of others

Thanks to the generosity of some area businesses, Sallisaw Middle School cafeteria, jail personnel giving their time and a local couple with big hearts, 93 Sequoyah County Detention Center inmates were treated to a Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving day.

Cathy Webster, a courthouse employee, said she and her husband, Mark, wanted the inmates to have a holiday meal like everyone else. Cathy said Mark began spearheading ideas for the meal and what couldn’t be donated, Mark paid for out of his own pocket.

The Websters said Harps in Vian and Walmart in Sallisaw provided the majority of the food for the nearly 100 inmates; Wildhorse BBQ donated and smoked hams; and Sallisaw Middle School donated all their leftovers from the students’ feast on Wednesday.

Dana Stites, Assistant Jail Administrator, said it took four inmates, herself and one other jail employee three days to cook 13 turkeys and other food items, while Cathy brought in over a dozen pies.

“We actually prepared the meal in the jail’s kitchen,” Stites said. “We only have two small ovens, so we couldn’t cook it all in one day.”

Stites said the middle school helped by donating six large pans of dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy.

“We are always grateful for any donations,” Stites said.

Stites said there was plenty of leftovers so the inmates were able to have extra portions for later as well.

“It was a blessing,” Stites said. “It was kind of fun just doing it all. We are so blessed to live in such a caring community and the inmates enjoyed it.”

“We were so thankful we were able to do this,” Cathy Webster said. “We enjoyed it as much as they did.”