A thanksgiving custom: Leefield honours native household’s legacy of giving

Nearly 30 years in the past, Shirley and Don Tripp prolonged a dinner invitation that may spark a legacy of giving that may proceed after their deaths.

Monday, over 1,000 folks headed to the Leefield Group Corridor for the twenty ninth annual Thanksgiving luncheon, to seize a free scorching meal and meet up with mates. Seeing the group come collectively and proceed the custom is one thing Nicole Tripp stated her dad and mom could be happy with.

“I do not assume they ever anticipated it to get this huge, and for the custom to proceed on,” Nicole stated. “So I do know they’re happy with this. I can really feel it.

“I really feel it in my coronary heart and soul that they’re so thrilled and so happy with everybody and of Edmonton and the group spirit.”

Nicole’s dad and mom, the late Don and Shirley Tripp, began the custom out of the Millbourne Laundromat, which they owned on the time.

Shirley was working within the cleaners on Thanksgiving and requested a couple of common purchasers about their plans for the vacation. When she heard they’d no household on the town and no meal to take a seat all the way down to, she invited them to remain for supper.

“So mother made a Thanksgiving dinner for these guys and realized simply how many individuals did not have something to do for Thanksgiving dinner, no household, (and) had been down on their luck,” Nicole stated. “And it unfold and unfold, and the phrase received out, they usually saved serving the dinner on the laundromat.”

Shirley Tripp (pictured) was the face of the operation and her husband Don Tripp was the silent supporter – and potato peeler – behind the household’s annual free Thanksgiving dinner at their laundromat, stated daughter Nicole Tripp. (CTV Information Edmonton/Sean McClune)

By the point the household bought the laundromat, there have been over 1,300 folks coming for dinner, she added, and the entire household helped make the large dinners. As phrase received out, the group pitched in with meals donations to assist feed the rising variety of visitors.

When the Tripp household bought the laundromat, the brand new homeowners continued the custom with the assistance of the native Rotary Membership. And when the feast outgrew the laundromat, the Leefield Group League opened its doorways and kitchen.

“And right here it’s at the moment,” stated Nicole. “And I understand how proud my dad and mom had been, and are. And us youngsters and grandkids and great-grandkids are thrilled that this has continued for them.”

“It is such an honour to have this for our dad and mom.”