Annual Thanksgiving Dinner – Missiouri

On November 18, 2014, the Niagara Foundation teamed up with TASOM and FEBA to host a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner in St. Louis, MO. The Turkish American Society of Missouri (TASOM) held the event in their community center, where the Niagara and Federation of Balkan American Association (FEBA) offices are also located. Over a hundred people attended this interfaith event, meant to spark long-lasting friendships between peoples of various cultures. Not only was there abundance of delicious foods, but also of laughter, discussion, and togetherness.
Four speakers began the program before dinner was served. Yucel Aktas, the President of TASOM, gave general opening remarks before welcoming Dr. Gary Behrman, a licensed clinical social worker and professor at St Louis University and Washington University. Following him was Imam Hosic, the religious leader of the Islamic Community Center in St. Louis. Rabbi Jonah Zinn, a distinguished rabbi, then blessed the meal.
At the end of dinner, Ali Durhan, the Executive Director of Niagara Foundation, ended the event with a fun raffle, even making an impromptu game of it on the spot. In his speech, he emphasized sustaining the friendships made that night, encouraging people to exchange business cards and phone numbers, to make acquaintances into friends.