Even though she’s helped coordinate We Care and Friends’ annual Thanksgiving dinner for more than 20 years, working alongside her husband Larry Griffin, who started the Annapolis nonprofit’s tradition in 1991, Griffin has always preferred being in the background.
This year, however, she didn’t have much of a choice but to step up. Larry Griffin died last November following complications relating to dementia, and since then, Rachel Griffin has worked to continue what he started.
“He did all of this to give back to the community,” she said, “and here we are, 33 years later, we’re still trying to keep the legacy alive.”
It hasn’t been easy, though. The nonprofit, which aims to connect people in need with resources such as substance treatment, mentoring and housing, has struggled with declining donations and difficulty obtaining grants, Rachel Griffin said.
But at Monday’s Thanksgiving dinner at the Stanton Community Center in Annapolis, it was clear that Larry Griffin’s spirit of giving back was alive and well.
An hour and a half before doors opened, volunteers darted in and out of the gymnasium. An assembly line at the back of the recreational space was busy serving up turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and cranberry sauce, scooping a bit of each into boxes destined for area senior communities, while others ran in and out of the kitchen, preparing for the dozens arriving soon.
“I’m an octopus, that’s right,” said Deneice Fisher, a longtime volunteer. “Wherever I’m needed, that’s where I am. If they need a can opened, I’m opening cans; they need a pan filled, I’m gonna do that.”
Fisher was one of dozens who helped with the annual dinner, along with staffers from the Annapolis Police Department who cooked 45 turkeys, Calvary United Methodist Church members who contributed side dishes, dessert and meals in a bag for a raffle, and numerous other volunteers.
“It’s nice for a kid to come out, get a nice meal — been a lot of kids that can’t afford to have a nice meal, so it’s nice we can provide this,” said Annapolis Police Lt. Kevin Krauss, who’s volunteered at the dinner for many years.
We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Annapolis Police Lt. Kevin Krauss puts foil over a tray of turkey. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
The band In His Grip provides the tunes for the event. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Volunteer Emily Gifford, from the Calvary UMC of Annapolis, brings out a couple of pies. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Volunteers from the Calvary UMC of Annapolis fill to go boxes to be delivered to those who could not attend in person. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
The late Larry Griffin’s wife Rachel S. Griffin gives remarks before a blessing of the food. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Cards with Larry Griffin face on them were placed with pens on tables so guests could write memories of Larry in them. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
With his nephew Weston Delph, age 2.5, strapped to his back, Calvary UMC volunteer Gus Gifford serves food to guests. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Shelton Willett and his mother Rachel S. Griffin, right, Executive Director We Care and Friends give remarks. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Veronica Brown writes in a card with Larry Griffin face on it that were placed on tables so guests could write memories of Larry in them. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley serves Derrick “Tweety” Howe food. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Shelton Willett and his mother Rachel S. Griffin, right, Executive Director We Care and Friends give remarks. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
A guest puts some hot sauce on their food. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Essenxe Simms, 3, eats her food. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Veronica Brown writes in a card with Larry Griffin face on it that were placed on tables so guests could write memories of Larry in them. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman listens to the late Larry Griffin’s wife Rachel S. Griffin, Executive Director We Care and Friends. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Shelton Willett and his mother Rachel S. Griffin, right, Executive Director We Care and Friends next to a banner with the late Larry Griffin in it. We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
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We Care and Friends, founded by the late Larry Griffin, held their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stanton Community Center, Monday evening. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Julie Taylor, who coordinates volunteers from Calvary United Methodist Church, loves that the day brings people together for food and fellowship.
“We know each other, year after year, and recognize each other — it’s a real community,” she said.
Memories are what keep Charlotte Brown coming back to the annual dinner. The 85-year-old Annapolis resident, who came with her niece and grandchildren, grew up on Monument Street around the corner from the Stanton Community Center
“It’s good to come out and just communicate, get used to seeing people and enjoy it,” she said. “Coming out and just seeing people happy and not stressed about what’s going on every day … they can relax and be themselves.”
Rachel Griffin knows upholding the tradition is what her husband would have wanted.
“He would be proud that I’m keeping it going,” she said. “And if he could talk, he would be like, ‘Good job sweetheart, we did it again.’”
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