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Hundreds of families flock to Tustin for free meals on Thanksgiving Day as Operation Warm Wish, in its seventh year, provides food and activities to the homeless and families in need. I did.
What started as a small gathering of just a few people at Pepper Tree Park, an annual tradition has grown into a banquet that draws hundreds.
Tyrone Jackson, founder and president of Operation Warm Wish, will give anyone a seat at the table at your event.
“You don’t know who’s homeless. You don’t know who’s struggling. We’re all in this together, we’re united,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who was once homeless himself, founded Operation Warm Wish 17 years ago to help homeless veterans and families in need.
“There was a period in my life when I was homeless for several years, living in motels, and struggling as a young adult,” he recalled. “I felt like I had no purpose. But once I realized I did, I wanted to give the world that same hope.”
As the family eats together, the kids can enjoy activities and even have a chair cut.
“We eat. They give you clothing and food,” said Cesar Portillo, a father who attended the Thanksgiving event with his family.
Jackson said she also raised enough money to buy five hotel rooms for her family of five.
“We have a partnership with a hotel across the street. They offer some rooms with showers and warm beds,” Jackson explained. “They can’t eat all this good food and just go back to living under a tree. I want them to have the most.”
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