Saturday, December 7, 2019 — Compeer clients, volunteers, and guests from all over gathered together at Poplar Run StoneRidge in Myerstown to enjoy a spectacular holiday celebration – Friendsgiving! The event was held at the Theatre on Main, Poplar Run’s premiere event space and banquet hall. There, guests arrived to find tables set up with festive holiday decorations (including Hershey’s Kisses goodie bags!) The Lebanon chapter of Guitars 4 Vets was on stage, playing holiday classics and providing a soothing soundtrack to the event. At the far end of the banquet hall, vendors such as Patriot Home Care, Handmade Custom Creations, and Art by Artemus were set up, offering great items for last-minute holiday shopping.
The guests continued to stream in to the hall, and the time neared closer to 1 PM. Finally, all the guests had arrived; and Friendsgiving began! Compeer executive director Kendra Elliott welcomed everyone to the event and introduced the event’s featured entertainment, character juggler Chris Ivey! Ivey entertained the audience with numerous juggling feats & magic tricks, all while delivering fun dialogue that delighted everyone in attendance. He even went out into the audience at certain points and had some of our board members and volunteers participate in his act! While Ivey’s performance continued, the caterers at StoneRidge prepared a delicious holiday feast filled with roast beef, turkey, and mashed potatoes, and they finished it up with a scrumptious chocolate cake!
Chris Ivey’s performance ended with a daring & dangerous feat, as he juggled three knives all while balancing a sword atop his head! With Ivey’s performance over, executive director Kendra Elliott took over the event’s proceedings once more, starting with a surprise check presentation from David Gerstenlauer, of the Association of United States Army, CSM James M. McDonald Keystone Chapter!
She and Compeer board member Oratio Thomas then took the time to recognize each and every Compeer staff member & board member in attendance! Thomas then recognized Patty Basehore of Brentwood Industries with a certificate for Brentwood Industries’ consistent support of Compeer throughout the year. Once the recognition portion was over, Elliott finished up the event with a raffle giveaway, a centerpiece giveaway, and a door prize giveaway! With that, our Friendsgiving holiday celebration was over for another year.
We’d like to once again thank our sponsors for the event: R Field & Stream, First Citizens Community Bank, American Red Cross, and StoneRidge Poplar Run for giving us the event space for the afternoon! We are so grateful for everyone who attended, our entertainment, vendors, and everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to help set up for the event! Friendsgiving 2019 was a complete success, and we are excited about the future of this festive event.
Happy holidays & a very merry Christmas to all our Compeer friends!
