Two JCD juniors bring Thanksgiving to Osgood assisted living center

(OSGOOD, Ind.) – A Jac-Cen-Del student knows how it feels to receive community support when you need it the most.

Mikaela Fasbinder was just 8-years-old when she lost her father in 2016 and the Osgood community rallied behind her family. She has always wanted to return the favor.

Fasbinder is now in her junior year and was involved in the annual Junior Turkey Dinner fundraiser that took place on Sunday.

Mikaela had heard that there were people who wanted to support the fundraiser, however were unable to make it to the dinner on Sunday. 

She came up with the idea to raise funds to donate meals to the residents of Buckeye Village Apartments, which is an assisted living center in Osgood.

That's when the family of her classmate, Sara Swinney, also wanted to get involved. 

Mikaela and Sara helped make it possible to donate meals to all 65 residents at Buckeye Village. 

“It made me feel grateful and proud to be able to do this for both my school and the residents at Buckeye Village.  It makes my heart feel warm knowing they were able to get a Thanksgiving meal even though they may not have been able to see their families,” Mikaela said. 

Sara added, “It made me feel good knowing I was able to bring joy to those residents. I was happy to be able to help because it’s Thanksgiving and some people are unable to see their families.”

Mikaela also credited Gene Flint and Holly Hooten who picked up and delivered the meals to Buckeye Village. 

Altogether, the annual Junior Turkey Dinner resulted in 800 meals being sold and the funds help support their senior trip next year as well as graduation expenses.