Branson’s Mona Miller thanks local heroes with Thanksgiving feast

As many families were preparing to travel or to enjoy a day of food and football with family, some of our most essential community personnel were planning to be on the job, prepared to serve if needed. Each year, Mona Miller works hard to make sure those law enforcement and fire departments have the chance to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal as a reminder that they are appreciated. 

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Miller and a team of volunteers and sponsors worked to assemble food and supplies for the Annual Heroes Feed. “This will be the fifth year I make sure Branson Police Department, Hollister Police Department, Taney County Sheriff’s Department, and our Western Taney County firefighters get a good Thanksgiving meal,” said Miller. 

Miller and her volunteers spent Sunday and Monday cooking and prepping for Tuesday pickup by each department. The meals included a turkey with “all the fixings”: dressing, green bean casserole, candied yams, pie, cranberry sauce, potatoes and gravy, plus a cake decorated with the name of the department. 

First responders in the area, including Branson Police Chief Eric Schmitt, stated in local television coverage that their departments appreciate the time and effort Miller invests each year, and that it is heartwarming to be remembered in this way. Those picking up the meals on Tuesday echoed that sentiment. “They’re excited for me to get back to the department with this,” shared a deputy as he loaded the food into his vehicle. 

The meals couldn’t happen without donors and volunteers. In addition to Miller and her team members buying groceries, Built Right Construction provided turkeys; Country Mart Bakery in Hollister provided the cakes; Stagecoach RV Park provided pies, as well as the use of their clubhouse kitchen. Extra refrigerator space was available for the donated food thanks to Rent-A-Center, which brought two large fridges to the work area. Miller’s helpers included Debbie Avantis, Roger and Diane Young, Pam Remme, Annette Persinger and Angeline Keeton. 

This year’s meal delivery also included a box of gift bags for each law enforcement department to hand out to homeless individuals in the area on Thanksgiving. Each bag contained apples, an orange, beef sticks, cheese and crackers, and candy—a substantial snack, but more importantly, a way to give the officers a positive interaction with the homeless community. “So many times, people’s experiences with law enforcement happen during a negative situation,” Miller said. “This is hopefully a way we can help them build relationships and get a ‘thank-you’ while out doing their job.” 

“We all try to thank the military veterans when we see them in their hats all over Branson,” said Miller, herself an Army veteran. “But our firefighters and police need to be thanked, too. They’re heroes every time they head out on the job to keep us safe.”