WATCH: Sharing Center of Central Brevard Shines Again With Free Traditional Thanksgiving Meal

Served Free Traditional Thanksgiving Day Meal

WATCH: Each year, on Thanksgiving morning, the Sharing Center of Central Brevard opens its doors for a FREE traditional Thanksgiving meal. My broadcasting partner, Orville Susong, and I were fortunate to be there to capture the spirit of the day. Volunteers were abundant, and our hearts were full as we spoke with people who took the time to make a difference in their community.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – My broadcasting partner, Orville Susong, and I were at the Sharing Center of Central Brevard in Cocoa on Thanksgiving morning. We witnessed what we see every year: volunteers and the community coming together to help those in need.

Each year on Thanksgiving morning, the Sharing Center opens its doors for a FREE traditional Thanksgiving meal. It is remarkable to see volunteers working to feed individuals they most likely do not know.

What motivates a person to wake up early on a holiday morning and volunteer their time? We asked several people and posed that question.

As Orville and I moved around the facility, we heard “LEAD Brevard.” Several volunteers from Lead Brevard were assisting. I talked with LEAD Brevard President/CEO Kristin Bakke about volunteering. She said, “Today is a day where we can help others and demonstrate some of the leadership that I see in our alumni daily.”

Cocoa City Councilman Alex Goins, who was also volunteering again, told me, “Sharing Center meals aren’t just about filling up the stomach. The Sharing Center is more about showing love and compassion for your fellow man. Thanks to the Sharing Center and all who donate to their endeavors. The City of Cocoa salutes you all.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020 and Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers for pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, one in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock and the other raising over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Over the years, the Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes and more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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