Thanksgiving Dinner

Hillcrest Lodge in Orillia is inviting the community to a Thanksgiving dinner with all proceeds supporting affordable housing and daily meals for low-income seniors — including tenants still displaced after spring flooding damaged the lodge’s basement.

The dinners run on both evenings in the lodge dining room . Guests are asked to arrive at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m.

The menu is a traditional turkey feast: salad to start; roast turkey with gravy and stuffing; mashed potatoes, turnip and green beans; and pumpkin pie. Red and white wine will be served at the table. The event is licensed.

“Enjoy a full turkey feast with all the fixin’s, a decadent dessert, and a curated selection of wine at your table. Join us for a cozy and delightful celebration of gratitude — and know that every ticket helps our residents,” said Ky Pruesse, administration and development coordinator for Hillcrest Lodge.

A break in the building’s main water line on May 22 flooded the basement, forced an early-morning evacuation of residents, and left two basement apartments uninhabitable. Most residents were able to return within days, but tenants from the damaged units remain displaced while repairs continue. Proceeds from the dinners will help the charitable lodge recover from that damage and keep providing a safe home and three meals a day.

Hillcrest Lodge provides geared-to-income housing in bachelor apartments, along with breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared fresh daily — a combination that may make it unique in Ontario. The dining room is the heart of the community, offering connection for seniors who might otherwise face isolation.

Tickets are $75 each. Only 30 seats are available, and all proceeds go directly to Hillcrest Lodge.

Space is limited, and tickets are expected to sell quickly.

To reserve a seat, contact Ky Pruesse at admin@hillcrestlodge.org