Felix Venezuela, Sara Lee Coffee and Tea’s senior manufacturing director, dished up turkey and stuffing.

Buddy McGuire, manager of the Suffolk plant, pulled raffle tickets for the gifts Santa handed out.

Everyone – both the 16 Sara Lee volunteers and the folks who partook of the company’s fourth annual community Thanksgiving celebration last Friday – had a great time, said Beverly Nedab, the company’s senior human resources manager.

Approximately 100 people, including several dozen seniors living in Chorey Park Apartments, turned out to the Salvation Army for the turkey luncheon. Employees served up plates piled high with traditional Thanksgiving fare – turkey, ham, stuffing, rolls, green beans and dessert.

&uot;We gave them a full spread of food,&uot; Nedab said. &uot;After serving the meals, our employees spent time visiting and making sure everyone had what they needed for a good time.&uot;

After lunch, Santa dropped by, dropping off Christmas cheer and – of course – toys for the youngsters in the crowd.

The older folks at the event participated in a lottery, receiving as prizes all sorts of seasonal gifts – hats, gloves, blankets and throws – to keep them toasty through the winter.

Employees always look forward to donating their time to the company’s holiday celebration, Nedab said.

&uot;This is just the right thing to do, as far as I am concerned,&uot; she said. &uot;This community is part of Sara Lee.

&uot;This is just another way of being connected, …of showing that we are true partners to this community.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com