Thanksgiving this year falls on Thursday, Nov. 28. The day is a reminder that we should be thankful for our blessings and also to remind us that everyone is not so blessed.
Susie Bagby of Jamaica moved to Middlesex County nearly 10 years ago and brought with her a similar program she had started in Baden, Maryland, through St. Michael Catholic Church.
Bagby’s late husband was a police officer and where they were living was a large population of homeless people, associated with the use of cocaine and other drugs.
“So many young people in that community had turned to drugs and had ended up homeless,” she said. “I felt so bad for them and wanted to find someway to help them.”
Susie Bagby and others started a Thanksgiving dinner program there for the homeless and others in need. When Susie married Middlesex native Bernard Bagby and they moved back to his native home in Middlesex, Susie Bagby carried on her work with the help of lodge member James Bagby by partnering with Bethlehem Star Masonic Lodge #249.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, Susie, Bernard, Cordice Byrd, Shirley Bagby, and Pam Harris prepared and served meals for 175 people. They had approximately 75 takeout orders and the rest were served inside the lodge building in Saluda.
“When I lived in Maryland, the need there was obvious and I was blessed to have had the means and support from others to help people in this way. I wanted to continue that here,” said Susie.
For the last eight years, Susie Bagby and her team have sponsored and prepared a Thanksgiving feast for Middlesex residents at the lodge building. “I want to give a special thanks to Bethlehem Star Lodge #249 for donating some of the food we prepared and providing us with a place to do this,” she said as she stirred a giant bowl of mashed potatoes in the lodge kitchen.
“I also want to thank family members and friends who worked long hours to make this happen,” she said. “This is all about love and what we can do to help. Thanksgiving is a good time for that.”
Susie’s message was printed on the purple T-shirt she was wearing. It read, “Love One Another” — a true Thanksgiving message.
